Ernest Harold Whitcomb

Ernie was born on November 4th, 1923 in Denver, Colorado to his parents; Harold James and Ada (Danford) Whitcomb. He attended Richmond High School in California. Shortly after graduating in 1942, he enlisted in the United States Army Air Forces. He served in WWII as a navigator until the war ended in 1945.

On October 17th, 1954, Ernie married the love of his life, Marilyn Van Cleve, in Kirkland, Washington. They were married for 59 years until her passing in 2013. Together, they had three children.

Ernie spent 25 years working for H & N, Inc. as an animal nutritionist, from which he retired in 1982.

When the family lived in Kirkland, Ernie was an active member of the Kiwanis Club and attended St. John’s Episcopal Church. He was very involved in the lives of his children and grandchildren, and he devoted himself to attending their various functions. He was also a handyman and carpenter, the furniture he created was gifted to his family and friends.

Ernie was an avid traveler, and he took his family on many wonderful adventures. After retiring, he and Marilyn spent a lot of time traveling all over the country in their travel trailer. Later, they started taking cruises. One of his fondest memories was the trip that he took with Marilyn on a barge on the Mississippi.

Ernie was preceded in death by his loving wife, his sister, Virginia, and his son Alan Harold. He is survived by his children, Georganne and Howard; his siblings, Katherine, Wanda, and Don; as well as two granddaughters and one great grandson. He will be missed.

A Funeral Service with Military Honors will be held on Friday, July 29, 2016, at 1:00 pm at Bateman Carroll Funeral Home. Interment will take place at Willamette National Cemetery. Memorial Donations can be made to Signature Hospice, 7632 SW Durham Road, Suite 130, Tigard, Oregon 97224.