Born on Friday, October 8, 2004, in our new car, somewhere in the Northbound Lane of Interstate 95 in Hollywood, Florida, you entered the world in the most dramatic fashion.  And whether or not you knew it, you've had an impact ever since... one that would be marked by your respect for the humanity of others, and your devotion to the people that you loved.

As a small child, you found pleasure in cooking, crafting, holiday events, and regalia.  This would grow into your love of planning family movie nights in our playroom, replete with lighting, signage, furniture alterations and your hand-crafted and personalized decor.

You had a passion for advocacy, and your volunteer work championed those at risk in our community... from concerns including illiteracy, gun violence, and food insecurity, to disability rights, mental health awareness and LGBTQ activism, you served in grass roots volunteer capacities, and in positions of servant leadership.  For 2 summers, you volunteered at the YMCA as a Leader-in-Training. After rising through the ranks as a Boy Scout, you did the additional work and sought the coveted rank of Eagle Scout, going on to join only 4% of Boy Scouts to have ever earned this award.  The City of Houston has benefited from your volunteerism and leadership, and your Eagle Project led to over 5000 books being donated to the homes of children who didn't have libraries of their own.

Then, you proved that you could do hard things by completing not one, not two, not three,  but four youth triathlons.

Being as much a student of the humanities as you were of civics, you became an accomplished amateur photographer, exhibiting your work in art shows in Houston and New York.  Pursuing your interest in stage performance, you found your way onto the casts of various youth productions including "We Will Rock You", "Alice in Wonderland", "SpamAlot" and others with Stageworks Productions and Drama Kids NW Houston.  You also loved to cook, and considered yourself an aficionado of the culinary arts, bookmarking recipes from the New York Times Magazine and teasing us for buying Mrs. Butterworth's Syrup instead of the $10 authentic Vermont maple syrup that you liked!  Enjoying fine travel, you felt it was best combined with epicurean adventures, and you would craft some of the best travel and dining itineraries!  Best of all, you had a wonderful sense of humor and did excellent impersonations, sounding more like comedians than the comedians themselves.

While you've held leadership positions in many different organizations and even matriculated at the prestigious New York University, perhaps your greatest accomplishment was what you taught us about unconditional love and steadfast devotion.

You see, you were often the most vocal supporter for Taylor, constantly cheering her on... never envious... never trying to grab the spotlight for yourself... just proud of her and happy to witness her success.  All the while, you were standing in the gap as a quiet champion for Jimmy; consistently helping us to support his needs; ready to pivot in whichever way autism told us to... even when support was difficult... even when the pivot was inconvenient... and even when things grew uncomfortable... you never gave up hope; and you never gave up on him... you remained steadfast until the bond between you was forged.

And in all of this, you taught us about hope, and you taught us about humility... you showed your siblings love without condition... and you taught the adults in your life about perseverance.

Then on December 13, 2025, you were abruptly taken from us.  Terminal as that was, the love that we have for you will remain, as will the lessons that you imparted.  And until we are reunited, we will honor you and your life by loving one another with the same intentionality that you modeled.
You will remain in our hearts forever, Bobby.  Rest in peace.

Robert Stephen Ellis, Jr is preceded in death by his paternal grandmother, Pauline Ellis; paternal grandfather, Noel Ellis; and maternal grandfather, James Richard Schley.

He is survived by his loving parents, Dr. Jaishree Ellis (nee Schley) and Dr. Robert Stephen Ellis; sister, Taylor Marie Ellis; brother, James Walter Ellis; maternal grandmother, Eleanor Mae Thompson; paternal uncle Wolverton Ellis (Jennifer); paternal aunt Karen DeSouza (Wayne); paternal aunt, Sharon Haynes; cousins, Stephen Ellis; Candace Ellis; Kyla DeSouza; Kyra DeSouza; Breann Haynes.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Bobby's name to "Books Between Kids" at:

https://secure.givelively.org/donate/books-between-kids/in-memory-of-bobby-ellis