Ernest Marshall Chase Jr.

Ernest Marshall Chase, Jr, 82, beloved son, husband and stepfather, was called to his eternal rest on March 27, 2024. Ernie, as he was known to all, was born on September 15, 1941 to Ernest and Anna Chase in Worcester, Massachusetts. He was their only child.

After graduating from Northridge High School in 1959, Ernie attended Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute where he earned his Bachelor of Aeronautical Engineering degree in 1963. In November, 1963, Ernie joined the Air Force. He achieved the rank of Captain and served for 12 years. He worked on aircraft ejection systems and lead many crash investigations. After leaving the Air Force, Ernie continued working for the government and began his career at NSA in Baltimore, Maryland. He worked as an Engineer and Intelligence Analyst in the Foreign Technology division. Ernie was an expert on Russian military aircraft. While in Maryland, Ernie met the love of his life Mary Elizabeth (née Whealy) and they were married on July 12, 1975 in Denton, Texas where Mary’s parents resided. He became stepfather to Mary’s four children. Ernie’s government career then took them to Fairborn, Ohio where Ernie worked for the Air Force at Wright Patterson AFB. Ernie’s final work for the government saw them move to Waynesboro, Virginia where Ernie worked for the US Army Foreign Science and Technology Center.

After retiring, Ernie and Mary moved to Texas to be closer to Mary’s roots and her oldest son and his family. They settled into their home in Universal City. Not being one to sit around and being service-minded, Ernie began volunteering for AARP’s Tax Aide service, rising to the role of a district leader and trainer. He was passionate about helping people prepare their taxes and answering all their questions. Ernie was an avid reader, especially spy fiction. He was also a Numismatist and a Philatelist. He had quite the extensive collections of coins and stamps. Ernie’s other great loves were his pets and he had many dogs and cats throughout his lifetime. After Mary’s death in 2017, his dog Willie was his constant companion. Ernie was very knowledgeable about current events and kept up with the national and international news. Although Ernie’s physical health declined, his mental sharpness and memory never waned. The best words to describe Ernie are gentle, kind and incredibly smart.

He is preceded in death by his parents and his wife. He leaves behind his stepchildren Philip P. Williams, Suzzanne Harwood (Gordon), Beth Bobb (Gary) and Christopher Williams (Molly), 8 grandsons, 2 granddaughters and 5 great grandchildren.

A celebration of life for Ernest will be held Saturday, April 6, 2024 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Colonial Funeral Home, 625 Kitty Hawk Road, Universal City, TX 78148.

“Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord.” (2 Corinthians 5:8).