Arthur Lee Ernest

Lee Ernest, age 82, of Mesa, AZ, passed away on July 4, 2012, surrounded by his loving family. He died of a sudden onset of acute leukemia. Born January 9, 1930 in Elkhart, IN, raised in Ohio and graduated from high school in Norwalk, Ohio. Lee served a distinguished 20 year career in the Air Force with duty in the Korean War and later as a special agent in the OSI (Office of Special Investigations) in New Jersey, Japan and Oklahoma. He retired from Tinker AFB in Midwest City, OK in 1968. Lee worked in Denver before retiring to Mesa, AZ in 1998. Lee is survived by his beloved wife of 40 years, Connie, and his children: Marc Ernest (Julie), The Woodlands, TX; Janine Winters, Littleton, CO; Peggy Kowalczyk (John), Phoenix, AZ; Michael Boggess (Kellun), Denver, CO; Bob Whittington (Carla), Glendale, AZ. Also, survived by his grandchildren: Eric Ernest (Nicole), Omaha, NE and Adam Ernest, Seattle, WA; Kelly Merrill Bowerman (Tim), Ahwatukee, AZ; Summer Boggess, New York, NY, Sierra Boggess, New York, NY and Allegra Boggess, Kabul, Afghanistan and his great-grandchildren: Ryan Ernest and Connor Ernest, Omaha, NE; Madyson Gaupel and Avery Bowerman, Phoenix, AZ and his former wife of 20 years, Cherine Temple of Centennial, CO. Lee was predeceased by his mother, Dorothy Ernest of Norwalk, OH; son, Jeffery Ernest of Aurora, CO; and granddaughter, Stacey Kriegshauser, Mesa, AZ. Lee was very proud of his military service, community service with the Japanese orphanage and his strong love for family. He will be remembered for his delightful smile, the twinkle in his eye, strong work ethic and his passion for sports, dancing and fishing. Lee was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather and will be dearly missed. He was the light of our lives. Graveside services will be held at 12:30 PM, Wednesday, July 11, 2012, at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona in Phoenix. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in Lee's memory to Wounded Warriors, Hospice of the Valley , Multiple Sclerosis or a charity of your choice . Expressions of sympathy may be made at www.lakeshoremort.com. Arrangements made by Lakeshore Mortuary, Mesa, AZ.