Don Ellender

Dr. Don Ellender, 70, of Lake Charles, LA died at 6:43 PM on Thursday, March 28, 2013 in a local hospital.

Dr. Ellender was born in Lake Charles, LA, raised in Sulphur, LA and graduated from Sulphur High School in 1961. After receiving a Bachelors degree from McNeese State University, he then graduated from the University of Houston's College of Optometry in Houston, TX and served his country in the U. S. Air Force for three years, where he was a Captain, and referred to as the Eyeball Mechanic. He was the owner of Ellender Vision Clinic for thirty-five years and worked at Wal-Mart Vision Center for the past seven years. Dr. Ellender was a member and past president of the Kiwanis's Club of South Lake Charles and a member of the YMBC and the American Optometric Association for over forty-five years. He was raised in the Baptist Faith. He was an avid golfer who also enjoyed fishing, hunting and working in his yard. Dr. Ellender will always be remembered for his sense of humor, his kindheartedness, and his putting other first. He was a great husband and wonderful father who truly cared about others.

Dr. Ellender is survived by his wife of forty-eight years, Rita Williams Ellender of Lake Charles; son, Dr. M. Scott Ellender and wife Dr. Elizabeth Ellender of Rapid City, SD; daughter, Trena E. Hardie and husband Derek of Lake Charles; sister, Susan Williams and husband Tyrone of Baton Rouge, LA; brother, James Keith Ellender and wife Sylvia of Sulphur, LA; and grandchildren, Savannah, Ethan and Shea Ellender and Jolie' and Hudson Hardie.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Preston and Virginia Ellender and his grandparents.

His funeral service will be at 11:00 AM on Monday, April 1, 2013 at the Johnson Funeral Home Chapel. Reverend Chris Fuselier will officiate. Burial will follow in Mimosa Pines Cemetery South in Sulphur, LA. Visitation will be at the funeral home on Sunday from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM and continue on Monday from 9:00 AM until the start of the service.

Donations can be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, American Heart Association or the American Cancer Society.