Former Vaulter Dies

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http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/ne ... 006430.htm

Services for expert woodworker, former model

BY ERIKA PESANTES

epesantes@herald.com


Frederick Scott Ellis, a master woodworker and former model, died Thursday of cancer at Baptist Hospital. He was 43.

He was diagnosed with the disease more than a year ago and began a series of chemotherapy. Throughout his treatment, he continued creating his woodwork pieces.

''It was his passion,'' his brother-in-law John DiFede said. ``He touched with his craft and his soul.''

A Miami native, Ellis, who was known to friends and family as Scott, graduated from Miami Killian High in 1980, but not before making a name for himself in athletic record books.

While in high school, Ellis set the record for the highest pole vault in Miami-Dade County during the Greater Miami Athletic Conference competition -- clearing more than 14 feet in the air.

During that meet, as competitors waited their turn to jump while sporting snazzy jump suits and sneakers, a relaxed Ellis waited around laughing with friends.

He claimed the currently unbroken record wearing a ''raggedy jumpsuit,'' recalled DiFede. ``Nothing was insurmountable.''

Ellis continued his studies and took several courses at Middle Tennessee State University and at Troy State University.

In 1984, while at Troy State, Ellis jumped even higher. He placed second in an Alabama state conference. His jump: 15 feet, 6 inches.

The following year, he followed with 10th place in a National Collegiate Athletic Association competition held in California, said his father Frederick Ellis, a retired coach for Southwest Miami High.

Standing more than six feet tall, the athletically built Ellis made a smooth transition from sports into the modeling industry. He prepared his own portfolio before diving into the runways, ads and commercials.

His stint as a fashion model for Michele Pommier Management modeling agency lasted a decade and took him to such faraway places such as Italy, Japan, Germany, Spain and Russia.

Ellis appeared in ads for Johnny Walker, Calvin Klein, Boss, Sprite -- he even posed for the ''Got Milk?'' ad campaign.

Despite being lavished with stylish, high-end fashion clothing, Ellis preferred to dress simply -- he mostly sported a white T-shirt and jeans.

He was anything but flashy, he never even carried a cellphone, said DiFede. After his adventures as a model, Ellis attended the Penland School of Crafts in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, where he learned his trade.

Working out of his truck, he carved and built armoires, storefront displays for merchants and countertops. One of his creations was the circular bar at the Coconut Grove club Flavour.

But, perhaps one of his most treasured pieces lies in his sister's Kendall home: a 10-foot Mahogany Tuscan table set upon wooden pedestals. Ellis also installed Brazilian cherrywood floors in the house.

Ellis' attention to detail in his woodwork drove him to forgo mechanical tools for some pieces and use carving tools instead.

''He would see architecture that tickled his fancy and research it and then live it and build it,'' said DiFede.

In addition to his father, Ellis is survived by his mother, Shirley Ellis, and sisters Vicki Ellis DiFede, Lisa Ellis and Sheryl Ellis Taylor.

A memorial service will be at 4 p.m. today at St. Thomas Episcopal Church, 5690 N. Kendall Dr.