Ernest Franklin Coble Jr.

Erk (his lifelong nickname) Coble was born on July 3, 1924 in Rockingham, NC to the late Ernest F. Coble, Sr. and Sallie Pearl Kelly. He graduated from Monroe High School. It was his rural North Carolina upbringing that fed the passions that would remain with him all of his life; hunting, fishing, and a general love for the outdoors. He was also an animal lover and owned countless dogs, horses and other adopted pets over his lifetime.

His other lifelong passion was flying which began for him when he volunteered for World War II at the age of 20. Erk was a B17 pilot in the European Theater and flew numerous bombing missions where he became a Purple Heart recipient. After an honorable discharge from the war, his many experiences led to a career in flying. From crop dusting in the southern states to eventually beginning his career with Pan American World Airways, he circled the globe many times, including 36 missions ferrying soldiers into and out of Vietnam. Starting out on turbo-prop aircraft, he ultimately retired as a Boeing 747 Captain. He was also a recreational pilot and owned both single engine and twin-engine airplanes.

Erk was a country boy and gentleman farmer. He owned a sizable farm in Vass, NC called The Blackhawk Ranch. There he raised cattle and grew numerous crops, but his favorite thing was to just “piddle” around the farm.

In addition to his parents, Erk was predeceased by his first wife Janice Rouse Coble, and his son Larry Coble. He is survived by his wife Mercedes McCarthy, son Glenn Rouse Coble and wife Vickie Haltom Coble, daughter Kelly Coble Fallon and husband Mike Fallon, brother G. Hal Coble, and sister Sarah Coble Waldrup, step-daughter Dianne Whitaker and her husband Garland. His large family includes many nieces and nephews, seven grandchildren, and fifteen great grandchildren.

The family will hold a private graveside service.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Transitions LifeCare, 250 Hospice Circle, Raleigh, NC 27607 or to a wildlife charity of your choice.