Although his job title was computer operator, his main duties were to walk around all night and be visible to prevent break-ins, and to watch over, but not touch, the company's new computer. In 1958, at age 15, Ellis applied for a job as a graveyard shift computer operator at the manufacturing firm Dover to earn money to help his family. Ellis was the first African American to receive a PhD in computer science. Ellis was at one time Exalted Cyclops of a Ku Klux Klan group in Durham, North Carolina, the city where he was born. His conversion to advocacy for desegregation is conveyed in the book Best of Enemies (1996), in the documentary An Unlikely Friendship, in an interview with Studs Terkel recorded in Terkel's book American Dreams (1980), in the 2011 play The Best of Enemies by Mark St. Germain, and in the 2019 film The Best of Enemies, in which he is portrayed by Sam Rockwell. Ellis is a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans, the NAACP and a 32nd degree Mason and a Shriner.

His family could not afford for him to attend college, but fortunately Clarence managed to secure a scholarship and was able to start at Beloit College in 1960.

He was offered the job because he was the only applicant. After the death of their mother, the family left the dust bowls of …

Clarence was a hard worker who worked beyond his 90th birthday. He also felt that it would not be inappropriate for the Klan to become more politically active, as blacks were also openly demonstrating. After the death of their mother, the family left the dust bowls of …

Bishop Ellis is married to the former Patrice Michelle Johnson and they along with their two children Johnathan and Renechea reside in Nassau, Bahamas. Arrangements under the care of Vancouver Funeral Chapel. After many close calls and scares, Barbara convinced Clarence it was time to find them a more safe and sensible home. 2, Tape: 2 Story: 2 - The Honorable C. Jack Ellis recalls his first experience of racism, Tape: 2 Story: 3 - The Honorable C. Jack Ellis remembers his family's first farm, Tape: 2 Story: 4 - The Honorable C. Jack Ellis describes his childhood home, Tape: 2 Story: 5 - The Honorable C. Jack Ellis describes the sights, sounds and smells of his childhood, Tape: 2 Story: 6 - The Honorable C. Jack Ellis describes his earliest childhood memories, Tape: 2 Story: 7 - The Honorable C. Jack Ellis recalls his early education, Tape: 2 Story: 8 - The Honorable C. Jack Ellis remembers his favorite elementary school teacher, Tape: 2 Story: 9 - The Honorable C. Jack Ellis recalls his influences at Ballad Hudson Junior High School in Macon, Georgia, Tape: 2 Story: 10 - The Honorable C. Jack Ellis remembers Ballard Hudson Senior High School in Macon, Georgia, Tape: 2 Story: 11 - The Honorable C. Jack Ellis remembers completing his high school diploma, Tape: 3 Story: 1 - The Honorable C. Jack Ellis remember segregation in Macon, Georgia, Tape: 3 Story: 2 - The Honorable C. Jack Ellis recalls President John Fitzgerald Kennedy's assassination, Tape: 3 Story: 3 - The Honorable C. Jack Ellis talks about race relations in the U.S. Army and in Macon, Georgia, Tape: 3 Story: 4 - The Honorable C. Jack Ellis recalls his decision to become a paratrooper, Tape: 3 Story: 5 - The Honorable C. Jack Ellis recalls his role in the Detroit riots of 1967, Tape: 3 Story: 6 - The Honorable C. Jack Ellis remembers serving in the Vietnam War, Tape: 3 Story: 7 - The Honorable C. Jack Ellis reflects upon his transition to civilian life, Tape: 3 Story: 8 - The Honorable C. Jack Ellis remembers becoming a U.S. Army recruiter, Tape: 3 Story: 9 - The Honorable C. Jack Ellis describes his three children, Tape: 3 Story: 10 - The Honorable C. Jack Ellis talks about the effects of Agent Orange, Tape: 3 Story: 11 - The Honorable C. Jack Ellis remembers developing an interest in politics, Tape: 4 Story: 1 - The Honorable C. Jack Ellis describes his experiences as a U.S. Army recruiter, Tape: 4 Story: 2 - The Honorable C. Jack Ellis remembers working at St. Croix Cable TV, Tape: 4 Story: 3 - The Honorable C. Jack Ellis recalls his role in Reverend Jesse L. Jackson's presidential campaign in 1988, Tape: 4 Story: 4 - The Honorable C. Jack Ellis recalls working for the U.S. Census Bureau, Tape: 4 Story: 5 - The Honorable C. Jack Ellis remembers his return to Macon, Georgia, Tape: 4 Story: 6 - The Honorable C. Jack Ellis remembers his early political involvement in Macon, Georgia, Tape: 4 Story: 7 - The Honorable C. Jack Ellis recalls his unsuccessful political campaigns, Tape: 4 Story: 8 - The Honorable C. Jack Ellis describes his mayoral campaign platform, Tape: 4 Story: 9 - The Honorable C. Jack Ellis recalls his efforts to improving relations between police and the community, Tape: 4 Story: 10 - The Honorable C. Jack Ellis recalls securing a Hope VI grant for the City of Macon, Georgia, Tape: 4 Story: 11 - The Honorable C. Jack Ellis recalls establishing a sister city in Ghana, Tape: 4 Story: 12 - The Honorable C. Jack Ellis recalls the Safe School Initiative, Tape: 5 Story: 1 - The Honorable C. Jack Ellis recalls the election for his second term as mayor, Tape: 5 Story: 2 - The Honorable C. Jack Ellis describes the C. Jack Ellis Youth Foundation, Tape: 5 Story: 3 - The Honorable C. Jack Ellis describes partnerships with African leaders, Tape: 5 Story: 4 - The Honorable C. Jack Ellis reflects upon his second term as mayor, Tape: 5 Story: 5 - The Honorable C. Jack Ellis explains his solidarity with Hugo Chavez, Tape: 5 Story: 6 - The Honorable C. Jack Ellis describes the racism he faced as the mayor of Macon, Georgia, Tape: 5 Story: 7 - The Honorable C. Jack Ellis talks about the discrimination against Muslim Americans, Tape: 5 Story: 8 - The Honorable C. Jack Ellis describes his campaign for a third mayoral term, Tape: 5 Story: 9 - The Honorable C. Jack Ellis describes the demographic changes in Macon, Georgia, Tape: 5 Story: 10 - The Honorable C. Jack Ellis talks about his family, Tape: 5 Story: 11 - The Honorable C. Jack Ellis reflects upon his life, Tape: 5 Story: 12 - The Honorable C. Jack Ellis reflects upon his legacy, Tape: 6 Story: 1 - The Honorable C. Jack Ellis narrates his photographs.

The other places he worked at included IBM, Xerox PARC, Stanford University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology. As Mayor, Ellis served as vice president for the World Conference of Mayors for Tourism and Investment and chairman of the International Affairs Committee for the National Conference of Black Mayors.

After Ellis left office in 2007, he was appointed honorary consul for Uganda to promote the country in the southeastern United States. He has been recognized by Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth of England for rendering distinguished services in Commonwealth nations. The Nation’s Largest African American Video Oral History Collection.

I remember Clarence as an easy going man, and always taking care of family and friends. He published over 100 papers and several books.