Richard Carter Ervin

Richard Carter Ervin, age 85, of Tucson, Arizona passed away Friday, September 24, 2021. Richard (aka Dick) was born on March 10, 1936, in Saginaw, Michigan to Roger and Della Ervin. He grew up in Saginaw helping at his father’s electrical business before going briefly to Michigan State University. He met is first wife Arloa while attending the university but soon decided to go into the Air Force. He served as a navigator in fighter jets in Michigan and then spent 4 years in Japan as a navigator flying reconnaissance missions over Vietnam. He served as a communications officer in Mississippi and Massachusetts before leaving the Air Force and moving with his family to Arizona. Dick worked as a technician for NCR for many years as well as a guard at the Arizona State Senate. Dick loved talking to people at the Senate and listening to the stories of those who had lived in his adopted state for a long time.

It was in Arizona that Dick met his wife JoAnn. After he retired, he enjoyed RV’ing, visiting family, watching his grandkids grow and crocheting countless caps for newborns. They lived for many years in Apache Junction before moving to Tucson several years ago.

He is survived by his wife of 38 years JoAnn Ervin, along with his children Bill Ervin, Debora Kinsall and Doug Ervin from his first marriage, JoAnn’s daughters Sherry Hiatt, Susan Bigelow, Sandie Russell and Sharon Dooley, along with his grandchildren.

The Choice is Mine

I chose to live by choice, not chance.

I choose to make changes, not excuses

I chose to be motivated, not manipulated

I choose to be useful, not used

I choose self-esteem, not self-pity

I choose to excel, not compete

I choose not to listen to the inner voice, not the random opinions of crowds

The choice is mine, and I choose to surrender to the will of the Divine Mind

For in surrendering, I am victorious