Ernest Delbert Cline

Ernest Delbert Cline, age 90, of Austin passed away on May 24, 2010. He was born on the 12th of September 1919 in East Calais, Vermont. Mr. Cline served in the National Guard, the US Army and retired from the US Air Force after more than 22 years of service. His last duty station was Patrick AFB, Florida. During his career, he proudly served his country overseas for more than three years in the South Pacific and Greenland. He earned many citations, commendations and awards. During his career he traveled to 49 of the 50 states and was stationed at The University of Texas at Austin, Southern Methodist University, Central Washington University and Rutgers University. After completing his military career in 1966, he returned to college and earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Education in 1968 from Central Washington University. He was employed as a Teacher at John H. Reagan High School in Austin for the next 17 years. After retiring from the Austin Independent School District in 1985, he turned to hobbies and learned to play the trombone and played with several bands, including the Shrine Band, the Senior Swing Band and the ACC Concert Band. He also was actively involved with many organizations such as: the Washington Lodge 61 in New Hampshire; Hill City Masonic Lodge 456; Scottish Rite; Ben Hur Shrine, Patrol and Band; VFW 8787; American Legion; Air Force Sergeants Association; and the Air Force Association. He was a member of Austin’s Memorial Methodist Church. While in the Ben Hur Shrine, he was Captain of the Patrol and President of the Band and later, was Secretary/Treasurer of the Band. He is survived by his daughter Linda, son, Patrick and grandsons Cody and Collin and sisters Louise Woodward and Enid Pickering. His wife, Hazle, predeceased Ernest in 2004. He is also predeceased by parents: Ruth and Leon Cline; brother: Warren Cline; and sisters: Rosamond Neddeau and Amy Cline. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Shrine Hospitals. Honorary Pallbearers will be members of the Ben Hur Shrine Patrol and the Senior Swing Band. Visitation will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 29, 2010 at Cook-Walden Funeral Home, 6100 N. Lamar Blvd., Austin, TX 78752. Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 30, 2010 in the Colonial Chapel of Cook-Walden Funeral Home. urial will follow at Cook-Walden Memorial Hill Cemetery in Pflugerville.

Condolences may be left at www.cookwaldenfuneralhome.com.