Arthur Brown Ellison Sr.'s Obituary
Arthur Brown Ellison, Sr., 94, passed away on July 30, 2022 at approximately
7:30 p.m. He was born to James Brown and Georgette McCain Ellison on January
14, 1928 in New York City, New York at Harlem Hospital. He was one of three
siblings, James (Jimmy) Ellison, Jr. and Mildred Ellison Carr. His aunt and uncle,
Joseph Arthur and Millie E. Brown of Charleston, SC, adopted him shortly after
his birth.
As a young boy, Arthur was known for running all over Charleston, as he was very
fast and had tremendous physical endurance. At the age of twelve he organized the
Physical Culture Club, which was made up of young boys in the neighborhood
who would run for miles together everyday throughout the city of Charleston. By
the time Arthur attended Avery High School, he was an inspiration to many in
leading others to live a clean drug-free life, building up the human body through
exercise in the gym and helping others. While swimming, he saved six youths who
were in the water, saving them from drowning, including his cousin.
After graduating from Avery High School, Arthur attended South Carolina State
College, Orangeburg, SC, in 1946. He majored in architectural engineering, and
was active in campus life. Arthur was the President of his senior class, Editor-in-
Chief of the college newspaper; member of the Omega Psi Phi fraternity; and
superintendent of the Sunday School at church. And, of course, there was sports.
He was a member of the track, football and boxing teams. Arthur was also the
Poet Laureate of the college’s newspaper. He also participated in the Army
ROTC. Upon graduation in 1950, Arthur received a B.S. degree in architectural
engineering.
After graduation, he was commissioned as second lieutenant in the U.S. Army as
he was deployed in infantry during the Korean Conflict. He was the recipient of a
silver star medal, a bronze medal and a purple heart medal for injuries Arthur had
received while in combat. Before his injuries on “Pork Chop Hill”, where
thousands of soldiers had lost their lives fighting the Communist Chinese and
Koreans, Arthur had participated in the Army Olympics while awaiting orders in
Japan. He won seven 1 st place finishes --- breaking world record holder Jesse
Owens’ track records, and one 2 nd place finish, which tied Jesse Owens’ long jump
record of 26’ 5”. On that day, Arthur Ellison was the fastest man in the world!!!
He was the first to break the four minute mile. Sometime afterward, it was
reported that all of his track records were reported to have been lost, or maybe
even destroyed. Sadly, Arthur did endure much racism while in the military.
In 1953, Arthur received the Silver Star for assisting ten wounded soldiers to
safety; a Bronze Star for bravery beyond the call of duty; the Korean Service
Medal; the United Nations Service Medal; the Combat Infantry Badge and the
Purple Heart Metal for having been wounded in action during the Korean Conflict.
His face was blown in half, knocking out all his teeth and dislocating his jaw, in
addition to a knee injury and an injured back. He was in a coma for two months
and all the medical records were lost. Arthur moved back to Charleston, SC and he
remained in the Army Reserves until his honorable discharge as Infantry Captain
in October 1963. Anyone who knew Arthur could see how proud he was to have
served his nation as he gratefully wore the purple heart around his neck and the
army baseball cap on his head. He was honored to have served, and he showed it!
On December 27, 1953, Arthur married Marguerite Geter of New York City and
they made Charleston their home. Arthur is survived by four children: Jeffrey,
Artie, Dawn, and Marc. Kevin (1957-1992) passed at the age of 34 in Miami.
From 1960 to 1971, Arthur Ellison was the host emcee of three weekly television
shows, the first being “JUMPTIME”, a dance show for teenagers in the South
Carolina Lowcountry that was patterned after Dick Clark’s AMERICAN
BANDSTAND, the original dance show for teenagers in America. Don Cornelius’
SOUL TRAIN followed in October, 1971. Many nationally known entertainers
appeared on the show, including Marvin Gaye and Tammy Terrell, Jerry Butler,
Chubby Checker, Wilson Pickett and Otis Redding. NBA basketball player, Oscar
Robertson legend also appeared on the dance show. And concurrently, as
JUMPTIME was broadcasted on Saturday afternoons, LOWCOUNTRY SING was
a Gospel Music TV program which was broadcasted on Sunday mornings. Gospel
choirs, praise teams and singers would appear every week with praises and worship
to our LORD and SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST. And, the third weekly show, TEEN
TIME 71, replaced JUMPTIME as another dance show with a different name. It
came to an end after less than six months later when one of the dancers on the
show was sexually assaulted by a gang member shortly after taping an episode.
When not on television from 1960 to 1971, Arthur was also known as a popular DJ
across the South Carolina Lowcountry and had many fans. His weekly “Record
Hops” were taking him to cities all over the state as they were very popular. As
mentioned earlier, he worked with the Charleston Naval Shipyard, became a life
insurance agent with several insurance companies, and eventually, became an
herbalist. He also worked as a substitute school teacher in the Atlanta area. Arthur
was passionate about helping teens stay out of trouble and stay in school. A health
enthusiast, he used health and fitness programs to help young boys develop into
responsible men. He also used his faith in GOD to mentor others.
Arthur was also inspired by his hero, Langston Hughes, whom he had met while
Mr. Hughes stayed overnight in his uncle’s home. His book, THE ART OF
WISDOM, was the result of accumulating all the poems he had written since he
was a boy, compiling them into a book of poetry. The other inspiration in his life
was his cousin, Joseph Arthur Brown, who was an activist for decades, as he
helped release innocent people from jail, finding jobs for the jobless and homes for
the homeless. Mr. Brown was also President of the NAACP of South Carolina.
On April 2, 2015, Mr. Ellison was awarded the OUTSTANDING GEORGIA
CITIZEN certificate for excellence in serving the Georgia community.
Brian Kemp, was the Georgia Secretary of State in 2015. Today he serves as
Governor of the State of Georgia. He had many encounters with the former
Governor Sonny Purdue for various reasons, usually pertaining to assisting with
disadvantaged communities in the metro Atlanta areas.
In 1990, Art, as many were accustomed to calling him, relocated to Atlanta, GA, in
order to be closer to his family, who had migrated there several years before. Over
the years, he had developed many close relationships in the metro Atlanta area and
he loved helping other veterans and the senior citizens in the building where he
lived in Buckhead Atlanta, GA. Until the end, Art enjoyed serving others in any
way he could. His life motto was “Do unto others as you would have them do unto
you.” Matthew 7:12 He was indeed “THE GOOD SAMARITAN.”
Arthur leaves to mourn his loss, his children: Jeffrey Ellison, Artie Ellison, Dawn
Ellison Kendrick (husband, Joseph Kendrick), and Marc Ellison (wife, Heidi M.
Ellison). Grandchildren: Paige Hawthorne, Brandon Hawthorne, Gabrielle Ellison,
William Ellison, Jordan Ellison, Genevieve Ellison, Neil Ellison, Cameron Ellison,
Jeffrey Ellison Jr., Lakisha Ellison, Christa Ellison, William Ellison (son of
Jeffrey), and many great grandchildren. And nephew John W. Carr and his family.
Nieces include Georgette Carr, Joy Carr, Renee Huntington, Deidre Huntington,
Mildred Adella Carr Jordan and family; Aurelia Carr Olverson and family.
Cousins Joenelle Gordon (husband, Charles Gordon; sons, Joseph and Greg),
Minerva King and Millicent Brown. Sister-in-law Dolores Huntington. And a host
of cousins and many cherished friends, including his buddy, Lillie Cooksey and
long-time friend Arthur Chisolm.
Arthur Ellison Sr. will truly be missed by many, many people. Blessings to all!!!
What’s your fondest memory of Arthur?
What’s a lesson you learned from Arthur?
Share a story where Arthur's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Arthur you’ll never forget.
How did Arthur make you smile?
