Robert Bryan Ellis was born on December 15, 1960, in Pawnee, Oklahoma. The son of Robert (Bob) and Ruth Ann Ellis, Bryan "RB" grew up with two sisters, Tina and Elaine, and a brother, Craig. After living in Pawnee, the Philippines and Georgia, the family settled down back near Pawnee. Bryan graduated from Pawnee High School in 1979 and attended Oklahoma State University for a year before joining the workforce in the oil field. Bryan welcomed daughter Lauren, daughter Jennifer and son Robert Bryan II "Bobby" with their mother, Lori.

Bryan "RB" joined the Tulsa Fire Department in 1989 and spent most of his career at Station 4. Lauren, Jenny and Bobby spent many holidays with their dad at the station, tossing rolls to Whino, the station dog, and playing on all the exercise equipment between hide and seek missions throughout the firehouse.

In 1998, RB met his future wife Teresa and he took her out on their first date in July 1998. Several dates occurred after that, including a lunch date with a fire truck escort. RB and Teresa were married on September 22, 2000, and Teresa and son Thomas joined the Ellis family traditions of Sunday lunches, family trips and of course the Ellis Family Initiation.

Bryan "RB" had an affinity for anything outdoors – hunting, fishing, rafting, camping and fishing some more. He always looked forward to his next outdoor adventure such as running with the bulls in Spain and reeling in a 103-pound Tuna.

After the love for his family and the outdoors, his next love was training. Over the years, RB trained firefighters and rescue personnel of all ages across the state.

He was committed to his roles on the Tulsa Fire Department, USAR Task Force 1, serving as long-time president of Tulsa Metro FOOLs and training with Tech Resq. He also was an active member of Church 3434.

Bryan was known as Grandpa to a granddaughter, Hailey, and five grandsons, Dax, Neil, Davis, Cooper, and Ruston, and Uncle Bryan to numerous nieces and nephews.