Eddie L. Ervin Jr.

ERVIN Eddie L. Ervin, Jr., 76, born March 25, 1929 in Greenwood, SC, to Eddie L. Ervin, Sr. and Estelle Smith, passed away December 15, 2005, in Jacksonville Beach. Eddie has two sisters, Martha Wanda McCall (Alvin), Greenville, SC, and Shirley Elizabeth Tripp (Bob), Waxhaw, NC. Eddie is also survived by three children of whom he is extremely proud: E. Lee Ervin, III (Faye), Jacksonville Beach; Lydia Susan Bunce (Wesley), Fleming Island; Leslie Jordan Bryant (Sterling), Tallahassee. There are eight grandchildren Alston Ervin; Christopher, Benjamin and Amanda Willett; David and Victoria Bunce; Jordan and Julia Bryant and four great grandchildren. Eddie had a full, varied and fun-filled life. From childhood he wanted to be a sports writer and in his words, "I grew up to be one and was able to play with my heroes." He worked for several publications including The St. Petersburg Times, Golf World Magazine, The United States Golf Association in New York and The Florida Times-Union and while at the Times-Union he was chosen one of the ten top newsmen for a month's tour of Japan. Eddie graduated from Pelzer SC High and attended Erskine College, Due West, SC served in the US Army twice. During his first tour of duty he was said to be the youngest sergeant in the Far East command. Eventually he served on the Board of Trustees at Erskine. His beloved Mary Ann Jordan preceded him in death in 1973. They met while they were in high school. Mrs. Ervin was a musician of note, playing both the organ and piano in churches they attended, including the First Baptist Church of Jacksonville Beach. After the death of his wife, Eddie retired from the Florida Times-Union and joined his brother-in-law, Alvin McCall, in establishing Ryan's Family Steak House in Florida. Eddie's company built 30 of them. He retired then, built Eddie's Crossing, a seafood restaurant in Palm Valley, Florida. Eddie was active in many associations and made great contributions to them all. He was a member of the Rotary Club, a chief supporter of the United Way and the Boy Scouts of America. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, gifts in his memory be made to Northeast Florida Community Hospice, 4266 Sunbeam Road, Jacksonville, Fl. 32257. A Celebration of Life will be held 2:00 P.M., Monday, December 19, 2005 at the First Baptist Church of Jacksonville Beach, 324 North 5th Street, Jacksonville Beach with the Rev. Don Lynn officiating. Arrangements by Hardage-Giddens Funeral Home 1701 Beach Blvd., Jacksonville Beach. Please Sign the Guestbook @ Jacksonville.com