Obituary of Christopher Brian Nellis

Christopher B. Nellis, known as “Nellis”, 44, died Friday, May 15, 2009 in the care of Franciscan Hospice of University Place, WA. Christopher was born in Pittsfield, Massachusetts on September 15, 1964 to Eugene Nellis and Patricia Stockard. He had been a resident of Seattle, WA for several years. Christopher was a graduate of Calaveras High School and attended several state colleges in northern California. He then served in the US Navy from 1985 to 1988. Throughout his life, Christopher pursued his real love, theatre arts. Jim Jewell of The Seattle Children's Theatre said in his "Remembrance" in the Stranger; Nellis was a mainstay of Seattle fringe theater and sketch comedy for many years. If you went to a show or after-party in the early 90’s, you saw, heard of, met and/or drank with Nellis. He created and wrote the wildly popular “Star Drek”; Leonard Nimoy attended a performance, and Nellis actively encouraged the rumor that Shatner had as well. Over the years, he racked up favorite roles in numerous “Twilight Zone” episodes at Theater Schmeater, One World Theatre’s “Waiting for Lefty,” and Stepping Stone’s “Catch-22” as Yossarian, but he found his home producing late night sketch comedy cabarets. Nellis declared he wanted to do “theater for people who drink and smoke.” He was the nominal leader and figurehead of Theatre Under the Influence (pre-cease-and-desist), Theatre on the Rocks, and as recently as late March the late night show “Stansbury” in Open Circle ’s late night space. It was the perfect venue for his infectious and playful personality, which poured off the stage and into every off-stage party with equal gusto. He was preceded in death by his father, Eugene Nellis and his oldest sister, Leslie Felton. Christopher is survived by his mother Pat Stockard and stepfather Mick Stockard of Valley Springs, CA.; oldest brother Michael and his wife Darlene and their three daughters of Santa Rosa, CA; older sister Grace Nellis and her partner Deborah Odell and their son and daughter of Santa Rosa, CA; older sister Gail Nellis of Kona, HI; older brother William and his wife, Pam of Layfayette,IN; and brother-in-law Ray Felton and niece Elizabeth and her family, of Stafford, KS. Christopher was a member of a large, loving family of friends who knew him as "Nellis." This special family includes grade school, high school and college friends; friends from years living and working in Las Vegas; and of course, the many, many friends of the Seattle, WA area. Christopher enriched all of our lives with his ability to unite people into one large, eclectic family and his devout sweetness was the charm that shown through his sharp wit and humor. Nellis was much loved and our loss is profound. A memorial will be held in Seattle by friends to honor Christopher, "Nellis style", on Saturday June 20th from 2pm-5pm at the Pike Pub Museum Room. Contact Jim Jewell at jamesjewell@comcast.net to RSVP. Memorials may be sent to the Franciscan Hospice of University Place, the Salvation Army, or your favorite theatre.