Don Ervin Booklet

SUNRISE

May 28, 1945

SUNSET

May 4, 2021

THE LIFE & LEGACY OF

An Honorable War Veteran, Retired Aerospace Engine Line Supervisor, and beloved family man, Don’s strength, resiliency, and unconditional love for his family will forever serve as a benchmark to all those he knew and loved for generations to come. On May 4, 2021, Don peacefully made his transition into eternal life leaving many lessons taught and memories to savor, surrounded by loved ones who will continue to honor his legacy with each and every passing day.

D

on Edward Ervin was born on May 28, 1945. He was the youngest of seven children, born to the late Walter James and Bernice Williams Ervins of Hazlehurst, Mississippi. Tragically, just over a year into Don’s life, his mother suddenly passed away.

Leaving his father, a hard-working farm laborer with no formal education to make the tough decision and ultimate sacrifice, to divide the family. As such, Don was sent to Clarksdale, Mississippi with his Aunt Gertrude Dorsey.

In 1956, Don’s late Aunt Gertrude, who served as a second mother to him, moved their family to Sikeston, Missouri where he graduated from Scott County Central High School in May of 1965. Always leading with his passion for serving others, in June of 1965, Don enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. Throughout his years of service in the Marine Corps, Don completed training at the Marine Corps Depot of San Diego, California, and ultimately served in the Vietnam War from

November of 1965 through December 1966 where he traveled to Okinawa, Japan, and Bangkok, Thailand.

After returning to the United States, Don continued to serve as a Military Police Officer at the U.S Naval Ammunition Depot in Hawthorne, Nevada where he was Honorably Discharged from the US Military in June of 1968. He then served four more years in the Marine Reserve at USMC Miramar, California.

That same year, during an impromptu visit to San Bernardino, California, he met his soulmate, the love of his life, a beautiful young lady, Mary Livia Alma Rabon. It was love at first sight and just one year later, Don requested her hand in marriage, and they joined in vows and holy matrimony in June of 1968. Throughout the 53 years of their marriage, up until his final breath, she stood faithfully by his side, upholding every vow made on that day. From this union of love, two daughters, his pride and joy, were born, Tamela Maria and Regina Marie Ervin.

Over the years, Don obtained two degrees in Business Management and Industrial Supervision from San Diego City College and San Diego Mesa College.

Working from the ground up, he spent 25 years building aircraft components at Rohr Industries beginning as an entry Handfinisher & Polisher and quickly advancing to become the Lead Engine Line Supervisor, earning countless awards and accolades over his career tenure.

More than anything in this world, Don loved spending time with those he loved.

Despite every obstacle faced in his lifetime, he was a man of admirable integrity, honor, and perseverance. He remained dedicated to his family and worked hard to build a stable foundation for the life and future of his children, that will continue to carry on for generations to come.

Don was preceded in death and united through eternal life with his parents Walter Sr. and Bernice Ervins, his second mother Aunt Gertrude Dorsey, his siblings: Walter (Bessie) Ervins Jr., Ellean (John) Shavers, and Shirley Jean (Willie, Sr) Rucker – his big sister who was much like a third mother.

Don leaves to carry on his ever-lasting legacy, his loving and dedicated wife, Mary Ervin, Two daughters Tamela (Daniel) Ervin Ikeri and Regina (Wayne Jr) Ervin Hampton of San Diego. Three sisters: Bobbie Jean Ervins, Lee Ethel Mae Hampton, Betty Faye (Jerry) McFall of Chicago, Illinois, and his Aunt Mary Jordan of Chesapeake, Virginia. Five grandchildren: Brooke Ervin, Tracy (Akemya) Shields, Ryan Shields, Wayne Hampton III, Theodora Ikeri, Benjamin Ikeri and Donovan Hampton. A great-granddaughter Zendaya Zion Coons, two great-grandchildren on the way, whom he was so eager to love, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and a lifetime of friends who became much like family across the globe.

Sunday, May 16, 2021 1:00pm

Glen Abby Funeral Home 3838 Bonita Road Bonita, CA 91902

Mistress of Ceremony..........................................................Vanessa Morris Prelude & Processional Musical Selections............................................Songs by Donny Hathaway “I Love the Lord”, “He Heard My Cry”, “Someday We’ll All Be Free” Welcome & Prayer...............................................................Vanessa Morris Solo Selection...........................................................“Take Me to The King” Scripture Reading.........................Psalms 23..........................Eboni Rucker Poem................................“A Family Man” ..........................Vanessa Morris Obituary Reading.................................................................Theodora Ikeri Tribute...............................................................................Dr. Willie Rucker Words of Remembrance............................................................Daniel Ikeri Jill Cobb, Brooke Ervin, Donna Rucker, Samitra Robinson Solo Selection...............................................................“I’ll Take You There” Eulogy......................................................................Rev. Johnnie McChriston Closing Prayer Benediction...........................................................Rev. Johnnie McChriston Musical Selection...............................................................................“Hero” Song by Mariah Carey Military Honors Recessional

Tributes Dad, what a remarkable father you were. A man who took being the patriarch of his family very serious.

A man with a great sense of humor. A man who approached life with integrity.

A man who never complained. A man who made the best out of any situation.

A man who was an inspiration for all to admire. Oh, how I miss you, Dad. Words can’t even begin to express the heaviness I feel. You are free now and at peace.

How blessed I was to call you Dad. I’ll keep you in my heart and cherish you and all the lessons and memories forever and ever.

Until we meet again, love Tamela…

Daddy Thank you for always allowing me to be myself. As a little girl I marveled at you, so big strong and handsome and you always smelled so good! You were loving and beautiful towards us and Mommy.

When your disability began you taught us so much about acceptance of things we can’t control.

Your willingness to endure with positivity in the face of adversity changed me. As the years went by you continued to get stronger adamant that you would continue to do whatever it took for you to continue to enjoy your life. You never stopped you just kept getting stronger. Your strength and courage is unmatched. Thank you for your consistency, dependability and kindness that you always freely given to all those in your presence. You never raised your voice and your humility was so clear to see, you always had others best interest at heart, it’s how you showed you cared. Most of all thank you for our beautiful family, all you and

your sisters did will sustain and keep us together for generations to come.

Love you forever and a day, Regina Words can’t even begin to express how important you have been and will always be in my life. Whether it was from a direct conversation or me observing you indirectly, you taught me no excuses and to always show up. You are a huge part of the man and husband I am now, and the father I hope to become in the future.

I love you always Pop, Tracy Papa was a fighter and one of the strongest men in my life. He’s been fighting his whole life and went out fighting. He inspires me to never give up no matter how bad the situation can get.

Wayne III The only grandpa I got to experience and the best one I could ask for. Your kind spirit and calm nature are my favorite things about you. Your strength and resilience is admirable because giving up is easy, but that’s something you wouldn’t do.

I love you Papa.

Theodora Papa, I’ll miss our Sunday dinner. I’ll miss your spaghetti. I’ll miss all the funny jokes and stories. I’ll miss you getting the Jacuzzi ready for us to come over and swim. But most of all, I’ll miss you.

Love, Benjamin Papa, you taught me that listening is important if I want to get ahead in life, to always treat people the way I want to be treated and take care of myself so I can be strong like you so no matter what

obstacles come my way I can overcome them all just like you did!

Love Donovan “The Family Man” Tall and slim Gentle as the wind Brown in skin His laugh and smile, genuine Mr. Ervin, Don, Uncle Don, Brother, Father, Papa, Husband, Friend That’s him.

The Family Man Intelligent and graceful Gifted and humble Strong and purposeful The Family Man Compassionate and forgiving Capable and willing Encouraging and uplifting The Man The Family Man The strategist, the plannerFuture focused yet presently minded...

The righteousness defender, respect commander In turbulence, not the bystander But the one standing.

The Family Man His power and presence from divinity He is the warrior...

Protector and provider Burden bearer Resource sharer The overseer, the confidant, the keeper The Man Mr. Ervin, Don, Uncle Don, Brother, Father, Papa, Husband, Friend That’s him.

The Family Man Venessa Morris We Hold You We hold you close within our hearts, And there you shall remain, To walk with us throughout our lives, Until we meet again.

So, rest in peace dear loved on, And thanks for all you’ve done.

Pallbearers Daniel Ikeri Wayne Hampton, Jr. Tracy Shields Ryan Shields Wayne Hampton, III Keith Rucker, Sr. Honorary Pallbearers Benjamin Ikeri Donovan Hampton Acknowledgement of Thanks We would like to thank all of our family and friends for the heartfelt prayers, words of comfort, and expression of support during our time of bereavement.

Please continue to pray for our entire family during this difficult time.

May God’s blessings forever shine on each of you.

Arrangements Entrusted to:

Glen Abby Funeral Home

3838 Bonita Road | Bonita, CA 91902 619 . 498 . 4600