Obituary
Ernest R. Spiva, Jr, 77, passed away Monday, July 21, 2014, at Bay Medical Center. He was born in Panama City, FL and was a lifelong resident. He was a descendent of two pioneering Bay County families.
Ernest was a proud member of the Bay High School Class of 1955. He obtained a bachelor and masters degree in education from Florida State University. He was a member of the Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity and an avid Seminole fan. His long and storied career as an educator in the in the Bay District School System began in 1960 as a teacher at Mowat Jr. High School. Soon after, he became an administrator and then served at St. Andrews Elementary, Rosenwald Jr. High School, Everitt Middle School, and Rutherford High School where he retired as Head Ram with the class of 1999.
Ernest was a retired Lieutenant Colonel with the 361st Civil Affairs Brigade in Pensacola, FL and served as a commander of the local Army Reserve unit. He received a 50 year certificate as a Master Mason of Saint Andrews Lodge 212. As a member of First United Methodist Church of Panama City, FL and was an active member of the Chancel Choir for many years. He was also a member of the Bay County Historical Society and the local Antique Automobile Club.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Capt. Ernest Raymond Spiva and Florine Harrison Spiva, and sister, Betty Sue Kimmel.
Ernest is survived by his wife of 51 years, Martha Costin Spiva, daughter, Susan Spiva Brannan and husband James of Killen, Al, sons, Gary Raymond Spiva, and Lee Harrison Spiva and wife Virginia of Panama City, FL. He is also survived by his beloved grandchildren Madison Marie Brannan and James Paul Brannan and Elizabeth Lee Spiva and Harrison Danner Spiva.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday at First United Methodist Church of Panama City, FL. Interment will follow at Greenwood Cemetery. The family will receive friends at Wilson Funeral Home on Wednesday from 7-9 p.m. and at the church on Thursday from 10-11 a.m. prior to the service.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Si Mathison TV Ministry/Music Ministry of First United Methodist Church of Panama City, FL, 903 E. 4th Street PC 32404 or The Bay Education Foundation Scholarship Fund, 1311 Balboa Avenue, PC 32401.
Ernest was a proud member of the Bay High School Class of 1955. He obtained a bachelor and masters degree in education from Florida State University. He was a member of the Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity and an avid Seminole fan. His long and storied career as an educator in the in the Bay District School System began in 1960 as a teacher at Mowat Jr. High School. Soon after, he became an administrator and then served at St. Andrews Elementary, Rosenwald Jr. High School, Everitt Middle School, and Rutherford High School where he retired as Head Ram with the class of 1999.
Ernest was a retired Lieutenant Colonel with the 361st Civil Affairs Brigade in Pensacola, FL and served as a commander of the local Army Reserve unit. He received a 50 year certificate as a Master Mason of Saint Andrews Lodge 212. As a member of First United Methodist Church of Panama City, FL and was an active member of the Chancel Choir for many years. He was also a member of the Bay County Historical Society and the local Antique Automobile Club.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Capt. Ernest Raymond Spiva and Florine Harrison Spiva, and sister, Betty Sue Kimmel.
Ernest is survived by his wife of 51 years, Martha Costin Spiva, daughter, Susan Spiva Brannan and husband James of Killen, Al, sons, Gary Raymond Spiva, and Lee Harrison Spiva and wife Virginia of Panama City, FL. He is also survived by his beloved grandchildren Madison Marie Brannan and James Paul Brannan and Elizabeth Lee Spiva and Harrison Danner Spiva.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday at First United Methodist Church of Panama City, FL. Interment will follow at Greenwood Cemetery. The family will receive friends at Wilson Funeral Home on Wednesday from 7-9 p.m. and at the church on Thursday from 10-11 a.m. prior to the service.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Si Mathison TV Ministry/Music Ministry of First United Methodist Church of Panama City, FL, 903 E. 4th Street PC 32404 or The Bay Education Foundation Scholarship Fund, 1311 Balboa Avenue, PC 32401.
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