Momo, Fred and Ollie's daughter Ramona Bassett, sent us this remembrance of Fred Ellenburg.
Momo says this is a photo of her Daddy that she added a caption to and gave to him Father's Day, many years ago. It speaks volumes.

Steve Brinson;

Greetings Showmotroopers,

I've just received a telephone call from Greg Robertson (Dr. Fuse) who conveyed the sad news that Fred Ellenberg has just passed away. Greg was notified by Jim Frye. So far nobody seems to have been successful in finding out information on any of the arrangements. The numbers that I have had for the Ellenbergs haven't been valid for a number of years, and Greg says he hasn't had any luck with the ones he's had either. Greg said that he understood Fred had been in a nursing home on Blue Springs Road in the Kennesaw area. We will keep researching. If anybody has any updated information please pass it along.

Steve

The Needham Twins;

Hi Steve & Dan,

We just got a e-mail from Momo, Fred and Ollie Ellensburg's daughter. Fred passed away, he was 92. They just celebrated their 67th wedding anniversary. Just thought I would let you know. The funeral is tomorrow at Winkenhoffer Funeral Home in Kennesaw Ga at 2pm.

We had lots of good memories with the family.

THE NEEDHAM TWINS

Jerry & Larry

PS Hope all is well with you.

Jeff Winter;

There's a special place in our hearts for Fred Ellenburg and a love for his wonderful family.

With plans on attending the service tomorrow, I called and confirmed the location:

Winkenhoffer Pine Ridge in Kennesaw

It's north of Barrett Parkway on Cobb Pkwy (Hwy 41).

Jeff

Dave Surtees;

Fred 'n' Ollie were indeed special folks for us.

"Hi" to you all and maybe we can work up a gathering some day...

Dave Surtees

Hollywood, CA

Doug Crumpler;

I was in the 3rd Army Showmobile and Soldier Shows from 1965 through 1970. When my wife and I were married while I was in the Army, your Dad made his converted tool shed/cottage at the lake available for us to live in for several months until we could get a place near Fort McPherson.

I remember those days of commuting to work with him and his down home philosophies. He was one of a kind and a good friend to many of the members that rotated through the entertainment unit. I know many of them will be very sorrowful that he is no longer with us. He was a very special person to a lot of young men and women.

Please tell your Mom how much we really loved and cared about both of them, and I apologize for our collective failures to be in touch over the years. Regrettably, it's only when we loose a friend like your Dad was, do we realize, how remiss we are for not calling to let them know what they meant to us and that those opportunities can never be retrieved.

You and your Mom will be in our prayers.

Doug and Treena Crumpler

Steve Brinson;

Greetings All,

The funeral/memorial service for Fred Ellenburg was held this afternoon at 2:00. Fred had a good send-off with a good crowd of family and friends. Following the funeral a brief graveside service was held under bright sunny skies at the Pine Ridge Memorial Park adjacent to the funeral home.

I'm attaching a couple of .jpg files of the Remembrance Card put together by the funeral home. Jeff Winter, Steve Warren (aka the Needham Triplet) and I were able to attend. Ollie, Ramona (MoMo), Barbara and Allen were thrilled and pleased to have received calls and good wishes from a number of Soldier Show Alumni.

Allen said he had many fond memories of traveling with the show, even though he had been quite young at the time. Momo and her friends said they had always considered the show personnel to be like 'movie stars'. We reiterated how important Fred and the whole family had been to all of the show personnel.

After things settle down a bit, Momo is going to dig through what she describes as a substantial archive of photos from the show years. I mentioned that several folks had expressed an interest in compiling a website where such materials could be posted and exchanged.

The official website for the current incarnation of the Soldier Show has a brief blurb on the history of the organization that indicates no cognizance of the past existence of the Third Army unit.

Dr. Fuse came up with contact information for Bill Gorel (no email address yet), now an engineer for Seagate, and for George Starkovitch who is a High School Principal. Both are located in Minnesota. George passed along the sad news that Penny Jensen succumed to a brain tumor in 2005. They had been married in 1971 after his return from Viet Nam.

Following Fred's service this afternoon, Momo and Allen both mentioned that Penny had on occasion referred to Fred as The Old Goat'. Apparently the whole family thought it was an apt description so they all started calling Fred The Old Goat well into the years after he departed the Soldier Show.

Steve

Obituary

Fred J. Ellenburg, 92,

The Marietta Daily Journal

Published: 03/20/2008

Fred Jerrell Ellenburg, 92, of Kennesaw died Wednesday, March 19, 2008. Services will be 2 p.m. Friday at Winkenhofer Pine Ridge Funeral Home in Kennesaw, with the Rev. Johnny Mackey officiating. Burial will be in Pine Ridge Memorial Park cemetery in Kennesaw. A native of Parrotsville, Tenn., Mr. Ellenburg retired from the Army after 28 years of service. He served 15 years of Army civil service. Survivors include his wife, Ollie S. Ellenburg; one son, Alan Ellenburg of Canton; two daughters, Ramona Bassett of Taylorsville and Barbara Keys of Acworth; two brothers, Marcus Ellenburg of Mossheim, Tenn. and J.D. Ellenburg of Homestead, Fla.; one sister, Blanche Sauls of Greenville, Tenn.; and seven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. The family will receive friends from 5 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home.

Condolence from: Fran Gravesen

Dear Nana, MoMo, Alan and Alisha, Barbara and Jack, and all grandchildren: Big Daddy was such a sweet heart! I loved spending those precious few weeks with Nana and Big Daddy and painting red rocks with Big Daddy. He had such a zest for life and was so fun to be around. He is always going to be with us and smiling down on us. Our deepest condolences during these sad times. Love-Fran, Jeff & Rebecca, and Garrett

Condolence from: Dave Surtees

As a member of the Third Army Showmobile/Soldiers' Show from 1965 thru 1967 I knew and admired Fred and his family. All of us did. I especially remember his 'maters that were huge and delicious! RIP Fred.

Condolence from: Douglas Crumpler

I met Fred during my tenure with the 3rd US Army Soldier Shows and Shomobile. He was a stalwart friend and confidant to all the young soldiers who knew him. He is the true definition of the "salt of the earth" and will be sorely missed, not only by his family but by all who had the priviledge of knowing him.

Condolence from: Steve Brinson

How wonderful that so many of us had the good fortune of sharing a portion of Fred Ellenberg's life while serving with the Third US Army Soldier Show. His good humor, kindness, wisdom and military experience provided a wellspring of support,inspiration and friendship for a great number of "Showmotroopers". Fred, Ollie and their family will always be remembered with great affection and respect. Thank you for sharing him with us.

Condolence from: Steve (Monheimer) Warren

Another Soldier Shows veteran checking in. It's been over 40 years but Fred was the kind of man you don't forget. He was a civilian then but he led by example, doing more to "make men" of us than the rest of the Army put together. A lot of other memories of that time are hazy but Fred, Ollie, Momo and Alan have remained in my mind and heart.

Condolence from: Norvid Roos

I'm another former PFC.and third U.S.Army showmobile person... Fred was a wonderful person...always warm and friendly to us all...I'm glad to have known him.