Ernest Decker Drury, age 78, born on May 28, 1947, in Salt Lake City, UT, was known for his saying “if you can’t have fun go home.” Ernie took his journey home on November 14, 2025, in Salt Lake City, UT where he was welcomed by his beloved parents James Clifford Drury and Mary Ada Decker, along with his best friend who he affectionately called “baby brother”, James Miles Drury.
Ernie spent his younger years in Rose Park, UT before moving to West Jordan where he lived the rest of his childhood. He graduated from Old Bingham High School 1966 during which he competed on the wrestling team and joined the Future Farmers of America Club.
In 1966, Ernie enlisted in the U.S Navy where he served for four years as a machinist on the nuclear submarines in Guam. After completing his service, he worked as a millwright before being hired as a plant mechanic for Utah Power and Light where he worked for twenty-three years before retiring at age 55. After retirement, Ernie lovingly cared for his father alongside his sister and brother.
Ernie met his loving wife, Gloria, on a blind date, and married her on February 27, 1971, in Granger, UT. They filled the home they built together in Riverton, UT with five children: Debra (Joe Kwiatkowski), Jim (McKell Drury), Kim (Alan Woodcox), Lori (Dustin Lovendahl), and Denise (Chris Barrow), who blessed them with 20 grandkids and 17 great grandkids who he lovingly referred to as his trophies.
Ernie was a character and known for his great sense of humor, you knew he loved you if you were on the receiving end of his teasing and he teased just about everyone. He will be remembered for his hospitality, fun-loving nature and his ability to make a bad time good, and a good time better.
He wasn’t a religious man in the traditional sense, but he loved the outdoors and always said, if you want to find God, just saddle up a horse and ride it into the South Hills. He enjoyed fishing and good old country music, but his greatest passion was sharing his love of horses with his children, grandchildren, and any other kid that wound up at his house.
His presence will be greatly missed by all those who love him, but we know he is having one hell of a time with all his friends and family who went before him.
The family would like to give a special thanks to the VA for the love and care they gave him in his final days.
Ernest James Drury is survived by his wife, five children, twenty grandchildren and seventeen great-grandchildren, and his sister JoAnn Lois Kenison. A viewing will be held at 1454 W. 13200 S. Riverton, UT on Monday, November 24, 2025, from 10:00 to 10:45 a.m., followed by funeral services at 11:00 a.m.
The family invites guests to bring a bandana, or as he called it, “a booger picker” in honor of his memory. Zoom link for funeral: https://zoom.us/j/94585617077?pwd=dfEL7qftlYgPTJoevbfwneD9OOcDiJ.1
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