Ervin O Easterling

Ervin Otho Easterling, known to most as “Ervin Pa” or “Duke”, passed peacefully at home into the arms of Jesus, on Tuesday, February 9, 2021, with his family by his side. Service: Memorial Service: 11:00 A.M. Friday, March 5, 2021 at The First Baptist Church of Springtown. Inurnment will be at a later date at Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery. Ervin could be described as a “mountain of a man”. His greatest love was for his wife, Bobbie, their three daughters, and many grand and great grand-kids that followed. He truly appreciated and loved the life he lived. Ervin gave his life to Christ and was baptized as a young boy. He was a member of FBC Springtown. Ervin was a devoted husband, father, and provider for his family. He was known for his generous heart, his drive to provide for his family, his loud laugh that he and Bobbie passed down through their generational line, and his ability to “soldier on”. He was patriotic and truly loved his country. Ervin was born in Hattiesburg Mississippi on January 24, 1932. He was the ninth child born to Luther B. and Ava Hood Easterling. Ervin was raised in Hattiesburg with his 12 brothers and sisters. His father passed when he was a young boy. He worked on the family farm where they grew cotton and corn. Even at a young age, he was a family man that looked after siblings and mother. Ervin quit school and joined the US Army Reserves October 14, 1947 and the at the age of 17 enlisted in the United States Army. He served almost 22 years in the Army at rank of Sergeant First Class (SFC) (E-7). While enlisted, he completed his GED, trained in Nuclear Weapons Maintenance Specialist and Electrical Equipment Tester. He was awarded: Korean Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Good Conduct Medal (4th Award) and honorable discharge. In early 1962, while stationed in Fort Riley, Kansas he played the guitar in a band called The Ramrods and that’s where he met his soon-to-be wife, Bobbie. After a short seven-month romance and a trunk full of 304-S Tri-ply stainless steel cookware, (there’s a story behind that) they married on July 28, 1962, in Junction City, Kansas. Ervin and Bobbie had three beautiful daughters, Saundra, born in Kansas, and Sharon and Susan, born in Germany. The family transferred to Fort Hood Texas in 1967 and upon retirement from military life in 1969, he moved and settled in Azle Texas. Ervin had a great love for education. Upon his discharge from the military, he attended Tarrant County Junior College and obtained his A.A.S. in Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Technology. He was recognized on the Dean’s Honor List several times as well as initiated into Phi Theta Kappa National Honor Fraternity. Ervin joined the TCJC Refrigeration & Air Conditioning faculty as the Coordinator & Instructor. During this time, Ervin used his skills and education to start his own business, Aircon, in Air conditioning and Heating. He obtained his B.S. in Mechanical Sciences from East Texas State University where he was member of the Alpha Chi National College Honor Society and Sigma Tau Epsilon Professional Fraternity. He served many years as the Department Director and retired in 1997. Ervin and Bobbie moved to Reno in 2002. They called it their little piece of paradise with a big shop where he spent his time tinkering and making birdhouses with the grandkids and great grandkids. Ervin is survived by his daughters, Saundra Crite (Sherry) of River Oaks, Sharon Huskey (Darren) of Azle, Susan Easterling (John Peterman) of Springtown; grandchildren, who brought him great joy, Candice Brown, Michael Parker, Cassidy Anderson, Cassidy Spilker, Sara Waeltz, and Cherria Iasscs 10 great-grandchildren, one great-great granddaughter; brother, Emmette Easterling of Richton, MS;. sisters, Elva Lewis of Fort Worth, Elna Wilson of Azle,, Ellen Blume of Fort Worth, and many nieces and nephews. Preceding his death, the love of his life and wife of almost 53 years, Barbara Elizabeth Easterling. As their song states, they loved each other "Until the Twelfth of Never”.