Edward King-Ellison; Clothier, AIDS Volunteer

Edward A. King-Ellison, a retired manager from Saks 5th Avenue who dressed celebrities and presidents’ wives, died Sunday after a lengthy illness. He was 57.

King-Ellison was born Aug. 15, 1940, in St. Paul, Minn. He worked at Saks in New York and Palm Springs, where his sense of style earned him a following among the upscale department store’s elite clientele.

He moved to Oxnard four years ago and became involved as a volunteer at several AIDS care organizations in the county.

“He was the most giving person and probably one of the bravest people I’ve met in my life,” said Stephanie Cabaniss of Ventura, a fellow volunteer. “The most remarkable thing about him was his faith--he got up every morning and said ‘Thank you for my life.’ ”

King-Ellison brought meals to homebound AIDS patients, drove them to Los Angeles hospitals for treatment, and spent hours visiting and cheering them up, his friends said. Although he himself was ill, King-Ellison’s positive attitude earned him the nickname “Mr. ‘I’m Fine,’ ” his invariable response when his doctors asked about his health.

In 1994, King-Ellison was named Volunteer of the Year by Christopher House, an AIDS care facility. This year, he received the Kenn and Melba Peterson Volunteer Award from AIDS Care in Ventura.

Friends loved to hear stories about his work, which he said included selecting wardrobes for first ladies, including Mamie Eisenhower, Nancy Reagan and Betty Ford.

“He would gather up clothes and fly to the White House, where the first ladies would choose what they wanted,” Cabaniss said. “He helped put together their wardrobes for everything from state dinners to trips abroad.”

Despite his entree into high society, King-Ellison was not a gossip, his friends said.

“He’s the guy who could have had a lot of dish on people, but he was very respectful and never talked,” Cabaniss said.

Doctors and caregivers who met King-Ellison quickly became attached to him, said Dr. Gail Simpson, an infectious disease specialist at Ventura County Medical Center.

“There was something about him that drew people--he was dignified and humble,” Simpson said. “He devoted a large part of his life to helping people.”

King-Ellison, a Catholic who attended Mass at San Buenaventura Mission each Sunday, was known for his uniform of black jeans worn with black cowboy boots. As a tribute, his friends and colleagues plan to wear black cowboy boots to his funeral, Cabaniss said.

King-Ellison is survived by his longtime companion, Wally Ford of Oxnard.

A memorial Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Thursday at the mission, with Father Joseph Pina officiating.

Donations may be made in King-Ellison’s name to AIDS Care-Ventura, P.O. Box 728, Ventura 93002.

Arrangements are under the direction of Joseph P. Reardon Funeral Home, Ventura.