Ernest Richard Lax

Ernest (Ernie) Lax, ninety six, passed away peacefully at home on January 14, 2024. Born in Gary, Indiana to Ernest Lax Sr. and Bessie Budwitis Lax, he grew up in the Indiana Harbor area of East Chicago, Indiana and graduated from Washington High School in 1945. He later earned BA and MA degrees in education from Indiana University. Within a week of his high school graduation, at age seventeen, he enlisted in the Navy. While in the Navy, he was trained as an aviation electrician teaching pilots to recognize and troubleshoot electrical problems in their aircrafts.

That is when Ernie began corresponding with his sister’s best friend, Catherine Chamberlain. He came home on leave in 1948 to take her to her senior prom and they were married in 1950.

He taught elementary school, primarily mathematics and science, in Gary, Indiana and eventually became a principal. After visiting Colorado a few times, Ernie applied for jobs in Western Colorado and was hired as a principal of Grand Junction’s Pomona elementary school in 1976. He later transferred to the principal position at Nisley school and also worked as a preceptor to student teachers.

Ernie was a parishioner of Sacred Heart Church in Fruita and a member of the Knights of Columbus. He was a member of the American Legion for forty eight years. His interests included hunting, fishing and collecting rare books.

Ernie was preceded in death by his wife, Catherine and his sister Jacqueline. He is survived by his children Marilyn Lepp, Jeanne Marie, Eileen Donald and Richard Lax, eight grandchildren and nine great grandchildren.

After cremation at Callahan Edfast Mortuary his ashes will be interned at the Grand Junction Veterans Cemetery. There will be an honor guard ceremony at the Veterans Cemetery, 2830 Riverside Parkway, Grand Junction, Colorado on Tuesday, January 23 at 1:00 pm.