5/7/1952 – 10/22/2026
Lawrence
John “Jack” Ellena lived a life marked by deep devotion to family, faith, and service. He loved deeply, lived thoughtfully, and approached life with an unmistakable joie de vivre. He never missed an opportunity to make it special.
Born on May 7, 1952, in the Chicagoland area, Jack grew up in Lee’s Summit, Missouri. He forged many friendships in the halls of Lee’s Summit High School, but in 1968, he moved to Lawrence High School. He graduated in 1970 and later attended the University of Kansas. A devoted Jayhawk, Jack remained a lifelong fan of Kansas athletics and embraced the community of Lawrence, Kansas, as home.
With the development of Lawrence Auto Plaza, Jack began a successful career that was arguably more of a passion than merely a job. As owner and operator of Jack Ellena Honda, Jack took great pride in knowing the work his father started would continue for over 50 years. At the forefront of every transaction was a commitment to the community and its customers. A voracious reader and student of his craft, Jack was deeply committed to learning, modeling excellence, and mentoring others. His legacy can even be spotted on the roads around Lawrence, where license plates still read “Jack Ellena Honda.” May those plates remain for years to come, a lasting reminder of Jack, his work, and the customers who felt like family.
A devout Catholic and deep thinker, Jack’s faith was at the forefront of everything. He devoted time to Scripture, prayer, and reflection, and frequently sought the wisdom and fellowship of spiritual mentors.
Jack knew how to savor life. He loved music, including Jimmy Buffett, Tony Bennett, Frank Sinatra, and the entire Rat Pack. To recharge, Jack and Cathy enjoyed many getaways to Key West, taking in the sights and sipping a margarita or two. A true epicurean, Jack knew the value of a fine cigar and a well-crafted cocktail. He loved to travel and, even more, to share those experiences with his family. A treasured memory was exploring southern Europe and the Mediterranean with all the kids and grandkids shortly after retiring. For Jack, the joy of an experience was made even greater when it could become a shared memory. And his was a life rich with shared experiences and treasured memories.
Jack was generous to a fault and was always looking for another way to give, help, or make someone’s day a little brighter. His generosity was part of who he was, not something he reserved for special occasions. With a true heart for giving, he was quick to shower a family in need with generosity or support a school fundraiser.
In more recent years, Jack’s joy in the spirit of giving led him to explore another special role: Santa Claus. He loved nothing more than to see a child’s eyes light up. Although he was a natural, Jack attended Santa school and immersed himself in the spirit of the season. Growing up, Jack was fascinated by magicians and delighted in entertainers like Wizzo the Clown and Howdy Doody. Sharing childlike magic with others was a lifelong mission, both with his own children and grandchildren and with everyone he encountered. He never missed an opportunity to make the ordinary magical!
With his love of laughter, being invited to Jack’s table was an honor—not just because of what he prepared, but because of the care, enthusiasm, and generosity he brought to sharing a meal. An award-winning “pitmaster,” Jack enjoyed learning the craft of barbecue and earned high praise from the American Royal judges for his ribs and pork. Even after countless messy dinners, the fans still clamored for more!
And then there was Jack’s laugh: hearty, full of joy, and recognizable just about anywhere. It was a sound that could fill a room and bring a smile to those who knew him. It captured something essential about Jack himself—a delight in life that was uniquely his.
Jack is survived by his childhood love and wife of 30 years, Cathy Ellena; his children, Katie Ellena, Julie Ellena, and Christy Ellena; Niki Stanley (Josh King); and his grandchildren, Paisley King and Cohen King; Sisters Gail Vick (Kevan) and Denise Berland (Russ), several nieces and nephews, and a rich tapestry of friends woven from far and wide. He was preceded in death by his parents, Norma and Jack Ellena, brother, Jim Ellena and his two angel infants, Emily and Jamie, who were born sleeping. His family takes comfort in the warm reunion with his beloved parents and these sweet babies. Though his absence will be deeply felt, his family and friends will continue to find him in the memories he created, the generosity he shared, the passions he pursued, the meals shared, and the unmistakable sound of his laughter.
Jack loved deeply, gave generously, and made life a little more magical for all.
“Strange, isn’t it? Each man’s life touches so many other lives. When he isn’t around he leaves an awful hole, doesn’t he?”
— Clarence Oddbody, It’s a Wonderful Life
Services will commence Saturday October 31, 2026 at Corpus Christi church in Lawrence, Kansas.
A Celebration of Life, visitation and memorial will begin at 10:30am
Full Mass will begin at 12:00 pm
The Jayhawks take on the TCU Horn Frogs at 2:30pm
The family requests contributions to LMH Health Foundation in support of the LMH Health Heart Center expansion and renovation and may be sent in care of Warren-McElwain.
Dress is “Festive Island Color” — it’s 5:00 somewhere!
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