Don Edward Ervin

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.

Don 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. Seven 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.