Charles (Fred) Ervin

Age 94, passed away Sunday, January 10, 2016. He was born in Douglas, WY on October 18, 1921, to Jesse J. Ervin and Lucy P. Lemmon.

Fred graduated from Douglas High School in 1939. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy on January 8, 1941. After boot camp and “A” School in San Diego Fred was ordered to the USS Portland at Pearl Harbor.  He was then aboard the USS Portland in company with the USS Lexington in The Battle of Coral Sea and with the USS Yorktown in The Battle of Midway. He was then ordered to new construction, USS Chanticleer, in July 1942 and back to the South and West Pacific for the remainder of WWII. Fred received orders to Navy Flight School in July 1945 and completed flight training in August 1947.  He was stationed at various bases both stateside and in Europe until he was commissioned Ensign, USN in July 1955.  He was then stationed at Moffett Field, CA until deployed to WESTPAC in 1958 on the USS Bon Homme Richard flying FJ-4B jet light attack aircraft.  He was then stationed at Kirtland AFB, then Naples, Italy finally ending his military career back at Kirtland.

Fred retired November 30, 1967 after 27 years in the service with the U.S. Navy. His decorations include, Navy Unit Commendation, American Defense (one star), Good Conduct (three stars), National Defense Service Medal, American Campaign Medal, Philippine Liberation Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Theatre (two stars), and World War II Victory Medal. After retirement he returned to cattle ranching and real estate.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 39 years Pearl I. Ervin; brother, Joseph Ervin; sisters and brothers in law, Margaret (Herb) Ferguson and Mary (John) Hartwick.

Fred is survived by his children, Daniel (Monica) Ervin, and Diane (Frank) Sandoval; grandchildren, Emilia, Adrienne, Gina, and Ada (Mike) Hernandez; great-grandsons, Jensen and Maddox; nephew, Blaine Ferguson; nieces, Judy Davies and Jean Garrow.

A Visitation will take place Wednesday, January 20, 2016, 11:30 am at Daniels Family Funeral Services - Wyoming Chapel, 7601 Wyoming Blvd. NE, followed by Funeral Service at 12:30 pm. Interment will take place at Santa Fe National Cemetery following the service.

A special thank you goes to the staff at Golden Years Assisted Living Facility - Glee, Austyne, Angela, Chelsea and Shannon - as well as the staff at Hospice of NM, especially Nurse Brittney.  All of you are special angels who were sent to take care of Dad as well as us.  We are truly grateful.

In lieu of flowers donations may be given in Fred's honor to Horses for Heroes, NM Inc.-Cowboy Up, P.O. Box 1882 Santa Fe, NM 87504 www.horsesforheroes.org .