Birth date: Mar 28, 1947 Death date: Jan 17, 2018
Christopher Hawthorne Ellerbe, 70, longtime resident of Cross Creek, Florida, died at his home on Wednesday, January 17, 2018. Mr. Ellerbe was born on March 28, 1947 in Frankfurt, Germany to the late Thomas Hawthorne and Helen Cu Read Obituary
To Thomas and Jeanie and George,
I am saddened to hear of "Kit's" passing. He was a person I feel blessed to have known.
He went to High School with my sister and my daughters father. We had a long and cherished friendship. I spoke with him on the phone after hurricane Maria impacted Florida. He told me everything was OK and we talked about his latest trip, he sounded good. We exchanged greetings through the mail this Christmas. I am so sorry for your loss. Your brother was very special to us.
I grew up in Gainesville and went through all the grades there.
I got to know Mrs. Ellerbe when she worked as the librarian at Westwood M. S.
As I got older I would talk with her occasionally around town.
When I transferred to PK our paths crossed a little more often as I rode my bike to and from school..
When I married Denny Vidal and moved to the south end of Alachua Co. Kit would visit in our home often. My husband Denny was one of Kit's few loyal friends.
As I got to know Kit, I came to appreciate his humor, creativity and knowledge. As my career as a park ranger changed locations, Kit took seasonal jobs at a few of the parks I worked at. When your mother passed I helped him with some of the challenges he faced dealing with her possessions. This was a very difficult time.
When Kit decided to locate his home in our area we were excited that he would be close. He liked the design of our home and wanted to have something similar. He shared his plans and progress with us as it developed. He was very happy with the end product. I was so proud of his accomplishment.
Kit and I shared a love of cats. Over the years I realized how important they were for him. As a person who spent a lot of time alone Kit cherished the company of his fur people. I think I was one of the few who understood this bond. I love my cats like members of the family also. When our daughter was born Kit fell in love with her. He enjoyed watching her grow. Often the gifts that he shared with her were from Heather, one of his favorite kitties.
Thomas and Jeanie, when you had George, our conversations would be about children and their antics. He loved his nephew! He also was excited when Kaylee and Clint came into this world. And he often expressed that he wished he knew them better.
Kit was able to participate in our lives and as my daughter grew, Kit would share Christmas by giving Fay hand made ornaments that are a part of our Christmas decorations to this day. When he came back from a trip he would share coins from different parts of the world. He also brought her small toys from whatever culture he visited . Books and copies of tapes of music he loved were the other things he shared with her. And we loved seeing the sketches he made of the different cities he visited. I have kept every calendar and booklet of these drawings. He became like an uncle, and has always inquired about Fay's progress through life. Fay is married now and last time we talked Kit was asking if there were any little Fay's. I told him no, That there time was not yet. I want you to know that your brother made a difference in my daughters life. I will forever be grateful that he was part of our lives.
I am so glad I kept in touch with Kit over the years. Because I respected him, he was my friend and I will miss him.
Sincerely, Lisa (Barlow, Vidal) Fowler
