On March 23rd Ernie A. Purser made the journey to be with his beloved wife JoAnn on her birthday.
Ernie was born in Seattle, Washington December 19, 1920 to Frank and Ester Purser. Ernie was raised in Hoquiam and quit school to help his family survive during hard times. He worked for Polson Logging running a speeder car for the crew at railroad camp. During World War II Ernie worked for the Army Corp. of Engineers on the sea going hopper dredge the Dan C. Kingman, he had also worked for Grays Harbor Amusement Company. After World War II he moved to San Francisco California and worked as an auto mechanic/wrecker driver for Courtesy Garage.
On November 17, 1950 Ernie married JoAnn Graham in Reno, Nevada. They were married for 61 years. They resided in Pacifica, California until 1971 when they moved to the Wynoochee valley area.
Ernie continued to work as a mechanic until retirement then as a courtesy clerk at Thrift Way until leaving there at the age of 85.
Ernie loved baseball and managed teams from minor little league teams to senior Babe Ruth winning many league championships. He always said winning isn’t everything, it’s how you played the game.
Ernie is survived by a daughter Malinia (David Knight) Wilson of Rochester, WA, a son Doug ( Debra) Purser at the family home, two grandsons Felix Salazar of Tacoma, Trino (Kerry) Salazar of Portland, Oregon and three great grandsons Austin and Blaise Salazar of Tacoma and Westly on the way.
Ernie was preceded in death by his beloved wife JoAnn, his parents Frank and Ester Purser his brother Ed and Marilyn Anne Purser.
A memorial will be held at a later date. Donations can be made at the Umpqua Bank in Montesano, WA in care of the family. GO HAWKS!