Ernest William Ewin graduated from mortality due to complications of vascular dementia on December 28, 2023, in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Ernie entered mortality as the first-born of Ernest Vincent Ewin and Doris Diana Richard on December 17, 1947, in Providence, Rhode Island. Asthma prompted a move to San Diego, where four siblings - Steve, Lee, Bill, and Susie - joined the family. As a "cowboy," then altar boy at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church, then Boy Scout, then eager football lineman, Ernie led the way. Post high school, Ernie attended Grossmont College, where he served as Student Body President. He next studied Finance and Economics at San Diego State University, where he met Nancy, the love of his life.
Although convincing her to go on a first date required a number of requests and cutting his long surfer's hair, they married a year later in 1971 before both graduating. Ernie was so thrilled by the role of father to their daughters, Chessa and Arden, that he and Nancy adopted two more children a few years later, Samantha and J. Corban.
Ernie started his career in banking with San Diego Trust and Savings Bank, then moved to Grossmont Bank when it opened, then turned around the failing Bank of Southern California with two prior bank colleagues, then finished his banking career at the San Diego Bank of Commerce, until it was sold to US Bank. Ernie later led the Grossmont College Foundation, helping to steer its merge with the Cuyamaca College Foundation. Ernie worked very hard to secure money for student scholarships, special projects, and self-supporting students seeking an education or a transition to second careers.
Ernie was absolutely dedicated to maintaining and improving his community in East County (San Diego.) After serving on La Mesa's planning commission, Ernie was appointed to the City Council and then elected to another term. After a four year hiatus to manage his home of four teenagers, Ernie sought election again and his time on the City Council totaled 18 years. He supported unity and congeniality in politics, initiating the adoption of the Council ethics statement, "Do Unto Others As You Would Have Them Do Unto You."
Every Sunday morning, Ernie could be found in church with his family. Though raised in the Catholic faith, Ernie and family became members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was anchored by his testimony of the Savior and joyed in the sealing of his eternal family on October 8, 1977 and December 1, 1984. He served in many callings within the Church, including Scout Master, Stake High Councilor, Bishopric Counselor, and Branch President. His favorite service was as a Primary Teacher. He loved the kids, and relished in rewarding them with "pig out" parties at Swenson's Ice Cream Parlor or pie day at the park without plates or forks.
Ernie most cherished his adventures as a husband and father. He exercised paternal rights to drive his family up and down Mt. Helix until all 17 minutes of In-A-Gadda-Da-Vita finished, laughed when he bought a car too tall to fit in the garage, demonstrated for his children the most effective way to launch both water balloons and toilet paper, wrote his name in a friend's grass using ammonia sulfate, raised a real piglet for the community children's theater's production of "Lil 'Abner," taught his daughters how to drive a stick shift, and woke his teenage children every Saturday for "work" by blasting his music of choice so that even the windows shook.
In all of his roles - husband, father, grandfather, banker, civic and church leader - Ernie showed us how to be honest, loyal, true, benevolent, kind, and smart with a sense of dignity and humor. His life had a great impact on all he met, especially his family.
Ernie is survived by his wife, Nancy, and their children - Chessa Konold, Arden Jones (Kevin), Samantha Willhite (Billy), J. Corban Ewin; grandchildren-- Finley Konold (Rose), Brennan Konold, Maddyn Lowder (Jack), Lorien Konold, Caelen Jones, Ewin Jones, Lillien Jones, Durgin Jones, Vera Willhite; and one great-grandchild, Wynn Konold. Ernie's surviving siblings are Lee Ewin (Terri), Bill Ewin, and Susan Ogburn (Mark.) His parents, brother Steve, and granddaughter Raina predeceased him.
Ernie’s memorial service will be held on Monday, February 19, 2024, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 951 E 100 S,
Salt Lake City, Utah 84102 at 11:00 a.m.
For those who would like, a Zoom Link is available: https://zoom.us/my/eleventhward Password: 84102
Ernie’s ashes will be buried at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Salt Lake City, Utah.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests --and thanks you for -- donations to the Grossmont-
Cuyamaca College Foundation fund for foster children who have “aged out” of the system
and are on their own. This fund provides emergency money to assist them and makes it
possible for them to continue their training and education. It was one of Ernie’s favorite
programs managed by the Foundation.
The link to make donations: https://app.donorview.com/gkJrn
Nancy and family. We were so saddened to hear of Ernie’s passing. Nancy, you and Ernie have had such a profound impact on our lives. We will forever be grateful for your friendship. Praying that the blessings of God will fill you all with the peace that passeth all understanding. Love you so much.
Hard to believe Ernie is gone. Nancy, we still talk about you and Ernie often down here in La Mesa. You both are inseparable in our minds, can't think of one without thinking of the other. A few memories out of so many: his serious side, dry sense of humor, Playing loud rock music on Sat mornings while cleaning the house! "Our privilege each day to write our own blessings by the way we live and serve." His cars and your cars that almost kept up with your eclectic taste in art. Red Chairs, Rooster painting, tie collection, his passion. Working with Catholic Priests as a boy to becoming a High Priest as a man. And lots more. Thank you to both of you for your genuine friendship!