Paul Lane Ellen, Jr.

Paul Lane Ellen, Jr., 74, of Newnan, GA, passed away peacefully at his home with his loving wife of 50 years by his side. He had been battling serious health issues for the past several years. The oldest son of the late Polly Ellen and Paul L. Ellen, Sr., Paul was the beloved husband of Pam Scholder Ellen. He was "big brother" to Jon Ellen of Auburn, AL and Tim Ellen (Lisa) of LaGrange, GA; "Uncle Paul" to Ragan Ellen Herdener (Chris), Spencer Ellen (Courtney), Taylor Ellen Felker (Andy), Wesley Vornbrock, and Amelia Vornbrock; and "great Uncle Paul" to Mary Larson, Margaret, and Molly Kate Herdener, and Graham Felker. Born in Gadsden, AL, Paul also lived in Centre, AL, Fitzgerald and Tifton, GA, and Ocala, FL, where he graduated high school. He received his Bachelor's degree in Mass Communications/Journalism from Auburn University in 1975 and joined the Radio/Television Division of Auburn University's Department of University Relations. He started his broadcasting career inside Haley Center, then the center of Auburn's campus, and was part of an enthusiastic group of students who started WEGL, the campus' radio station in the early 1970s. He began calling Auburn University baseball for local station WAUD in 1973 and was with the Tigers for their 1975 College World Series appearance. In 1979, he became General Manager of WAUD radio and the Auburn Sports Network, where he called the Tigers' football and basketball games for two years. After the network changed hands, he was hired as the University of Southern Mississippi's play-by-play announcer for football from 1983-85. In 1990, Paul returned to the Auburn radio team and served for over three decades in a variety of roles. In addition to anchoring the Tiger Tailgate Show, halftime and post-game show for all football broadcasts, he also did play-by-play and color for men's basketball and baseball broadcasts. Highlighting his tenure with Auburn, he worked two National Football Championship games (2011, 2014) and the 2019 College World Series. While widely recognized, especially by Auburn fans, for his sportscasting, his "real job" was in public relations. He was a vice president and group manager for for Cohn and Wolfe, where his clients included Courtyard by Marriott, Hilton Hotels, Chick-fil-A, Turner Broadcasting/Goodwill Games, College Football Bowl Association, and NFL Properties and Players Inc. In 1999, he founded Ellen Communications, a marketing and public relationship firm, and later partnered with former colleagues to form BAE Executive Media Training. Paul was an active member of Newnan Presbyterian Church and its Lowry Welch Men's Sunday school class, Rotary Club of Newnan and the Coweta/Fayette Auburn Club. He served on the committee for the annual College Football Kickoff Breakfast benefitting the Coweta Samaritan Clinic. Visitation will be Saturday, June 27th at McKoon Funeral Home in Newnan, GA from 5 to 7pm. A Memorial Service celebrating Paul's life will be held on Sunday, June 28th at 3pm at Newnan Presbyterian Church, 38 Greenville Street, Newnan, GA 30263. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that any donations be made, in memory of Paul Ellen, to one of the following: Newnan Presbyterian Church Hubbard Endowment, 38 Greenville St., Newnan, GA 30263 (or at newnanpres.org) Coweta Samaritan Clinic, PO Box 963, Newnan, GA 30265 (or CSCcares.org); or Whupper Lee Scholarship Fund c/o Auburn/Coweta Auburn Club. (or auburngiving.org/paulellenmemorial) Condolences may be expressed online at www.mckoon.com McKoon Funeral Home in Newnan is in charge of arrangements.

Paul Lane Ellen, Jr.

December 9, 1951 - June 4, 2026