Focusing On You

Gene and Susan Ellison
Knoxville, Tennessee

Gene, Jon and Susan Ellison

The first time Gene remembers hearing the call of the pipes was on a gray morning fifteen years ago in the small town of Duluth Georgia. Like so many other young families Gene, his beautiful bride of eight years and their three young boys waited for the local Little League' opening day parade to make its way down Main Street. With growing anticipation, the small crowd awaited the high school band local Dignitaries, and the special guess group, The Atlanta Pipe Band. Little did they know that those pipes would call to the generations of Scots in their blood. Over the next twelve years, they worked saved raised their three young boys to men and attended Highland games and Scottish events as often as they could. Three years ago Gene's pride in his Scottish ancestry led him to the Macpherson family.

Gene and Susan have shared their lives and love together for almost a quarter of a century. They have traveled the world together and lived in such exotic places as London, Kuwait and Nebraska They currently live in Knoxville, Tennessee and serve as Deputy Commissioner for  Tennessee and Kentucky for the CMA. Gene a native Texan, is a writer genealogist and a retired Professional Structural Engineer. He is an Alumnus of the University of Texas and the University of Houston and holds an MBA from Emory University. Susan, who puts her twenty plus years of dental office experience to use as the Manager of a thriving Dental Practice. grew-up on a farm in northern Alabama and is an Alumnus of the University of Alabama, Birmingham. Even with their busy schedules. they have found time to attend nineteen Highland games in the last two years. This year they are making plans to attend nine games. the AGM and a number of local activities associated with the Knoxville Scottish Society, including representing the Clan Macpherson in the annual Dogwood Festival Parade.

Gene's new position as Assistant Membership Secretary for the Clan Macpherson Association has brought him very close to the new blood of our association. Through letters (snail mail) and e-mail from our new members. Gene and Susan Continue to add new friends to the many dear friends that they have made in the Clan Macpherson and in other Clans. They, along with their newest recruit to the spirit Jon their youngest son, are looking forward to 1998 filled with pipes and kilts, meeting Sir William Macpherson and Lady Sheila at Grandfather Mountain meeting friends and see old ones again.