Obituary of Leo Dusenbury

Leo Ellis Dusenbury, Jr., Ellis Dusenbury, 65, passed away peacefully Tuesday, September 18, 2012 after a courageous eight-year battle with cancer. He tackled his illness with the same optimism, strength, and wit that made him successful throughout his life; and in so doing he inspired countless others with his positive outlook and quiet determination to fully live life. Ellis was born February 27, 1947 in Conway, SC to Lowell Dusenbury and the late Leo E. Dusenbury. He graduated from Conway High School before attending the University of South Carolina, graduating in 1969. While at Carolina, Ellis was on a U.S. Navy ROTC scholarship and became a member of Alpha Tau Omega fraternity, which he enjoyed considerably more than NROTC drill. Upon graduation, he served as a Supply Officer for four years, including a tour of duty on the nuclear submarine USS Haddo. Following his military service, he earned his MBA at the University of South Carolina. Ellis transitioned into a successful career in the coal industry, spending 22 years with A.T. Massey Coal Company in Richmond, VA, before joining Tanoma Coal Sales and moving to Charlotte. After Tanoma was acquired by Alpha Natural Resources, he worked for Alpha until his retirement in 2011. A former coal industry competitor noted, ?Ellis was probably the most respected and admired person in the coal industry. He was smart, straightforward, honest, and a lot of fun.? Ellis will be missed for his deep love for his family, his generosity, his joy for life, his small town values, his delightfully irreverent sense of humor, and for the courage he demonstrated in his battle against metastatic esophageal cancer. To cherish his memory, Ellis leaves behind his mother, his wife of 44 years Linda; daughters Amy Dusenbury and Denise Lombardi and son-in-law Alan Lombardi; grandchildren Leo Ellis, Nora and Sam Lombardi all of Richmond, VA; his brother Brad Dusenbury of Aynor, SC; and many caring and supportive extended family members. Ellis loved nothing more than his family and was a tremendously dedicated and devoted husband, father, and grandfather. Ellis loved playing golf with his buddies, traveling and spending time with friends, a great Italian meal, a good bottle of red wine, and a morning cappuccino over his Wall Street Journal. Most of all, he loved relaxing on the beach with his family. He was a member of Myers Park United Methodist Church and Providence Country Club. In this time of great sorrow, the family wishes to express deep gratitude and heartfelt appreciation for the care, concern, prayers and love of so many good people that have touched our lives. We especially wish to thank Dr. Wendy Brick and her staff Cathy Hester, Tamika McKenzie, and Jeannie Weigold; Dr. Mark Reames; and the Levine & Dickson Hospice House for the exceptional medical care and compassion given to Ellis during his illness. A service to celebrate Ellis? life will be held at Myers Park United Methodist Church in Charlotte, NC at 2:00 PM on Friday, September 21, 2012 with the Reverend Bill Roth officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests that memorials may be made to Myers Park United Methodist Church, 1501 Queens Road, Charlotte, NC 28207 or VCU Massey Cancer Center, PO Box 843042, Richmond, VA 23284.