David Gray Ernest

David Gray Ernest, age 76, of Milton, Florida, passed away peacefully on Saturday, November 29, 2025. Born on February 14, 1949, in Mobile, Alabama, David was the beloved son of Pete Ernest and Pearl Martin.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Ricky Ernest; his sister, Dagma Rutherford; and his brother, Pete Ernest Jr.
David grew up along the Gulf Coast and graduated from Vigor High School in Alabama. With a deep sense of duty and patriotism, he began his lifelong service to his country shortly after graduation. David proudly served five years in the United States Marine Corps before continuing his military career in the United States Navy, where he honorably served for twenty-one additional years.
After retiring from the Navy in 1992, David continued to support his community through dedicated civilian service. He worked for Pool Truck Lines and later at Naval Air Station Whiting Field in Milton, Florida. He retired fully in 2005, embracing a quieter life surrounded by family, friends, and the comforts of home.
Beyond his service and work, David found joy in the simple, meaningful things. He loved fishing-whether on the water or swapping stories about the one that got away. He was a skilled carpenter, and he had a lifelong passion for playing the guitar. Music and the outdoors brought him peace, and he shared those passions freely with those around him.
David is survived by his devoted wife of 53 years, Paula (Yohn) Ernest; his son, Richard (Sasha) Ernest of Asheville, North Carolina; his daughter, Sonia (Zane) Presley of Milton, Florida; and his stepdaughters, Nancy Patterson of Harker Heights, Texas, and Carol (John) Talamo of Greenville, South Carolina. He is also survived by his sister, Candy (Ken Autry) Morgan of Grove Hill, Alabama.
He was blessed with a large and loving family of grandchildren who brought him great joy: Andrew (Rose) Patterson of Harker Heights, Texas; Ana (Ean) Van Gemerden of Greenville, South Carolina; Ashlee (Allen) Bennett of Anna, Texas; Jack Talamo of Greenville, South Carolina; Megan (Joey) Lawson of Xenia, Ohio; Jordan (Kristin) Presley of Milton, Florida; Jayden Presley of Flomaton, Alabama; Kendall Brewton of Milton, Florida; and Isaac and Lucy Bishop-Ernest of Asheville, North Carolina.
David also cherished his seven great-grandchildren: Addie, Laine, Aida, Link, Oliver, Lucas, and Colsen. Although distance limited how often he could be with them, he carried each of them in his heart and spoke of them with pride and affection.
David will be cremated according to his wishes. A Celebration of Life will be held on February 14, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at the Magnolia Hall in Milton, Florida.
Those who knew David will remember him as steady, loyal, and generous - a man with a warm smile, a strong work ethic, and a deep love for his family. His legacy lives on in the stories he shared, the music he played, the peaceful moments he found on the water or in his wood shop, and the values he modeled throughout his life.
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