Ernie Thomas Bangs

ERNIE THOMAS BANGS Funeral services for Ernie Thomas Bangs a lifelong resident of Cortez will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, March 3 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Empire Street Chapel. Interment will follow at Summit Ridge Cemetery. Visitation has been set for Wednesday evening from 5 7 p.m. at the Ertel Memorial Chapel and at 9 a.m. in the Relief Society Room at the L.D.S. Church. Ernie Thomas Bangs was born to Sumner Thomas "Buck" Bangs and Effie A. (Willbanks) Bangs on September 5, 1948 in Cortez, Colo. Ernie went to be with the Lord on Saturday, February 26, 2011 at the age of 62. Ernie came into this world as a special angel and went out as an angel. He had the most beautiful smile with sparkling blue eyes that took your heart away. He would not only say "please", it was "pretty please" and "thank you". Ernie grew up at McPhee, then moved to Mesa Verde where his father worked, and later lived in Cortez where he attended the Robin Rogers School. One of his first jobs was making fish hooks. Ernie enjoyed bowling, walks in the park, feeding the ducks, going to McDonalds for a diet Coke, drives in the country, watching WWF, and dancing and listening to music. His favorites were Johnny Cash and Michael Jackson and the Jackson Five. Ernie met Terry Foy and on August 11, 1994 they declared their love for each other in a beautiful outdoor gathering. They shared a very special love for each other up to Ernie's passing. Ernie is survived by his companion, Terry Foy; one brother, Robert Willis Bangs of Missouri; his care giving niece, Patty Trudeau and husband, Steve, along with other nieces and nephews; and brothers-in-law, Jim Newby and George Griffith. Preceding Ernie in death were his parents, Buck and Effie Bangs; and two sisters, Evelyn Newby and Carolee Blackketter. Ernie will be missed by all those who knew and loved him. Memorial contributions can be made in memory of Ernie Bangs with Hospice of Montezuma, PO Box 740, Cortez.