James Ellis Kirk, 89 of Chesapeake City, MD passed away on September 24, 2025 at Autumn Lake Healthcare at Calvert Manor.

Ellis was born on September 16, 1936 in Fredericktown, MD, son of the late Josiah Franklin and Jennie Cohee Kirk. After graduating from high school, he began his career working for area marinas including Sassafras Harbor, Gregg Neck Boat Yard, Bohemia Vista, Granary and more recently 2 Rivers as their Boat Yard Manager. In 1961 he married Lois Marie Robertson and lived in Fredericktown and later Chesapeake City.

Ellis was the past mayor of Chesapeake City. He was a member of Chesapeake Lions Club, Cecilton V.F.C. and the Lower Cecil County Senior Citizens.  He was also past president of Chesapeake City Little League; where he helped acquire land for the new ballfields and start girls' softball.  He loved woodworking, carving boats, ducks and building birdhouses. Ellis enjoyed crabbing and fishing.

Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 57 years Lois Robertson Kirk in 2018 and a sister Suzanne Long.

Ellis is survived by his children James E. Kirk II and his wife Jennifer of Selbyville, DE and Nicole Kloss and her husband Rob of Landenberg, PA; a brother Kenneth Kirk of Calvert, MD; 7 grandchildren, Courtney, Cory, Tripp, Chase, Finn, Sonia Wendt and Kiara and a great granddaughter Scarlett.

A visitation will be held on Monday, October 6, at 10 am at the Middletown Baptist Church, 419 Armstrong Corner Rd., Middletown, DE 19709 where funeral service will begin at 11 am. Following the service a reception will be held at the church.  Burial will be held in Galena Cemetery, Galena, MD.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be offered to Middletown Baptist Church.

Arrangements by Galena Funeral Home of Stephen L. Schaech.