Ernest Nivin

Ernest Aubrey Nivin Jr. left his earthly home on October 28, 2025... He was born in Roby, Texas, on a cotton farm in a cabin down by the creek. The ravages of the dust bowl forced the family to sell the farm venturing to Sweetwater, then to California, and finally settling in Phoenix, Arizona. Ernie served in the U.S. Airforce as an aircraft mechanic during the Korean conflict. During his service he lived across the world in interesting places including Japan and Athens, Greece. During his time in Greece, he became a father, and his first two daughters were born, DeAnne and DiAnne. Upon finishing his military service, he joined the Arizona Highway Patrol where he served with distinction for 20 years across the state of Arizona. In this role he led a new group of patrolmen called the TACT squad where some of his most precious friendships were formed. During his service he saved multiple lives, helped many in distress, and saw history being made. He guarded presidents and interesting people like Aretha Franklin and the Fifth Dimension. The most important thing that happened during his time in khaki was that he met a beautiful woman in a brown sweater with curls on the top of her head, and they married in 1970. They loved with a love that was more than love for more than 55 years. They joined families, and this mountain of a man became a dad again to Ray and Karen Smith. Shortly after because of all of this love, the family grew with Jennifer and Ernie arriving soon. In 1981, Ernie retired from the DPS, and moved to his ancestral home of Whitney, Texas. He worked for Thousand Trails for a number of years where he enjoyed serving again, keeping people safe from rattlesnakes and other assorted Texas creatures and rendering aid when needed. When he finally retired in the twenty first century, he and his wife traveled a little seeing exotic location spots like Panama, Mexico, Illinois, and Kentucky. He planned to wait for her to die so that they could make a final journey together, but he said that she was not swift enough, and he had to part first to get things ready for her. In his last years, he demonstrated true courage as he persevered against illness and injury, and he embraced a spirit of love and gratitude to those around him. He will leave a huge hole in our sky, but he will continue to be a beacon of true north on our horizon.

Ernest was preceded in death by his parents Earnest A. Nivin Sr. and Ruby Lee Campbell Nivin as a well as his beloved "Jessie Mama" Jessie Campbell Edmonds and her children William "Butch" Edmonds, Thomas Smith, James Smith, and Bonnie Edmonds Hanson.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 55 years, Erlinda Nivin, and their children (DeAnne Nivin, DiAnne Nivin, Raymond Smith, Karen Welton, Jennifer Nivin Williamson, and Ernest Taylor Nivin), grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren: Daughter: DeAnne Nivin and her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren Nikki Hernandez and her wife Annette and children: Jade Gardner and her husband Wallace Gardner and their children Easton and Ember, Blake Crutchfield, and Camryn Crutchfield Meghan Berlin and her husband Chad Berlin and their sons Luke, Mason, Cole, and Wyatt. Sydnie Weddle and her son Bowen. Daughter: DiAnne Nivin and her children and grandchildren: TJ Robinson and son Bennett Lee (Benny) Robinson Kelly Patrick and her children Adilynn Rae Patrick and Nolan Thomas Reidhead. Son: Raymond Lee Smith and his wife Robin Smith Daughter: Karen Elaine Welton and her husband Rick Eugene Welton and their children and grandchildren:
Mattie Justus Welton Canaday and her husband Isaac and their children Brooks David Canaday, Eleanor Mae Canaday, and Rowan Justus CanadayMolly Rae Mathews and her husband Craig Evan Mathews and their children Oaklyn Kae Mathews and Delaney Jane Mathews.Megan Anne Welton Witts and her husband Luke David Witts and their children (Camille) Millie Aubrey Welton, Winifred Anne Witts, and Fia Marie Witts. Daughter: Jennifer Nivin Williamson and her husband Daniel Williamson and Stella Son: Ernest Taylor Nivin and his wife Cathryne Zacharias Nivin and their children Madeline Campbell Nivin and Olivia Kate Nivin.