Julian Ellett Obituary

Julian David Ellett, Jr.
AIKEN - Julian David Ellett, Jr., 81, passed away on September 21. He was the son of Julian David Ellett and Marian Wiley Ellett. David was born on March 28, 1944, in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, where his father worked on the Manhattan Project. The family then moved near Hanford, Washington, another Manhattan Project site. When the war ended, the family moved to several cities with the DuPont Company before settling in Aiken with the Savannah River Plant in 1952.
David attended Aiken public schools. As a youth, he joined the Boy Scouts and enjoyed camping and trips. He earned the rank of Eagle Scout. He graduated from Aiken High School in 1962. He then went to Davidson College where he majored in chemistry and mathematics and was named to Phi Beta Kappa. He furthered his education at M.I.T. earning a PhD in physical chemistry. His advisor there was a pioneer in nuclear magnetic resonance which David studied. He built an electronic machine with a large magnet for his experiments. He then did a post-doctoral fellowship in California.
After his graduate studies, David moved to New York City to work for a nuclear magnetic resonance company. At night he attended law school at Fordham University. He became a patent attorney and practiced in NYC for many years. He moved to Ossining, NY, and commuted into the city on a train that ran alongside the Hudson River. In his backyard he built a large garden and grew vegetables. He enjoyed working outside tending his plants. He became an accomplished cook. He loved classical music and concerts. He enjoyed photography and always took his camera on trips and to family gatherings. When he retired, David returned to Aiken and lived near the stables and training tracks. He traveled extensively with his companion Judy Cunningham.
He leaves to cherish his memory a brother Jim and his wife Becky, a sister Sarah Weissinger and her husband Reid, nephews Michael Weissinger and Matthew Weissinger, nieces Emily Weissinger Johnson, Kerry Ellett Glenn, and Rebecca Ellett Grunewald, numerous cousins, and his beloved companion for 18 years Judy Cunningham.
Memorial donations may be made to the Aiken Symphony or a charity of one's choice.
A Celebration of Life followed by a reception will be held on October 21, at 11:00 am, at SHELLHOUSE FUNERAL HOME, INC., 924 HAYNE AVE., AIKEN, SC.