With Deepest Sympathy - VP-16 Reunion Association, Inc.

It is with deep sadness that I inform you that our shipmate Ellis Chenault passed away from his battle with cancer in the early hours of Monday morning 7/21/2025.

It was only a month after attending the COC on May 29^th.  that the doctors told Ellis and Carol they had exhausted their treatment options and advised they should contact Hospice for support. He was under Hospice care for only a few short weeks before his passing.

As a professional photographer, Ellis has attended nearly every COC in recent years to photograph the passing of command, which he graciously shared with the command and his shipmates. On several occasions, he made the eight-plus-hour trip from Decatur, AL, to capture photos of the memorable homecoming returns from deployment.

Ellis is a former President and current secretary of our VP-16 Reunion Association. He was fully dedicated to its ongoing success and our support for the squadron. He lived daily reflecting on his time as a P-3 aircrewman in VP-16, seizing every opportunity to be on board NAS Jax with our War Eagles.

Please click on the link below to read his obituary.