Master Sergeant Fred Ervin, a veteran and survivor of multiple wars, and longtime resident of Tacoma, Ervin passed away on September 8, 2023 after fighting 30+ years of prostate cancer. Mr. Ervin, as he was known to many in the area, was born January 10, 1931 to Gus and Elizabeth Ervin and attended grade school in Chattanooga, Tennessee before enlisting in the U.S. Army.

As a member of the Army Corps of Engineers constructing the barracks at Fort Lewis, Fred saw action in multiple countries over his combined 47 years of active and civil service.  Master Sergeant Ervin was a Purple Heart recipient and made it a point to continue his service after retirement in the public school system as a security guard within the Tacoma Public Schools at Foss High School. Known in the building as Mr. E because of his calm, collected, approachable demeanor, he had many amazing stories of his time there connecting with young people.

Fred spent time in his garden which produced Collard Green Trees, he donated to the local church food banks, always found ways to serve the community through donating his time, and even kept up an early morning paper route just to stay connected to the communities. Fred has been married to his bride Mrs. Martha Ervin for 67 years which she say was "Her BEST FRIEND".

Ervin was preceded in death by his children Sharon Ervin and June Ervin, Mother and Father Gus and Elizabeth Ervin, Sister Gertrude Henderson, Rose Pickett, Maybel Yarborough, Brothers Doc and James Ervin, and Grandson Justin Ervin. He's survived by his wife Martha Ervin, daughters Lynda Thomas, Carrol Wright, sons Clinnion Baker, Ken Ervin, Grandchildren

Trina Marie Warren, Brandon Ervin, Shawn Ervin, Robert Boddie, Candice Abdulalli, Brian Ervin, Stacey Allen, Alex Ervin, 15 + great grandchildren, Niece Carolyn, Beatrice, Dianne, Sharron, Virginia, Nephew Lonnie, Richard Joseph.

You ran that race and you have won, although not easy, you made it look as if it was, Rest in "Peace" Dad.