Celebrant Pam Meily Vetter


	Celebrating Life Everyone Has A Story...

Born in Coates, Kansas, during the time of the Depression, Ernie and his two sisters were raised by their single mother. One day, when his grandmother had company, Ernie entered the room and started playing The Old Rugged Cross, boogie-woogie style on the piano. His musical talents were gifts he loved to share. At the age of 9, he reached local success playing boogie-woogie for a local radio station's Saturday morning program. After high school, he went onto Las Vegas and worked for 11 years. In 1960, he joined the Mary Kaye Trio. He was inspired by his mentor, Bob Smale. From 1958 to 1969, he performed and recorded with artists like Benny Goodman, Dean Martin, Dinah Shore, Frank Sinatra, Lou Rawls, and Duke Ellington. He went on to perform with comedian acts such as Bill Cosby, Red Skelton, Allan King, Red Buttons, and George Carlin. He moved to Los Angeles where he performed with Burt Bacharach, Herb Albert, Nelson Riddle, and Ray Charles. This was followed by work for 8 years on the Dinah Shore Show as well as work on the Dean Martin Show. Ernie received thanks from the Department of Defense for his part in two Christmas tours with Bob Hope in Thailand and Vietnam. Ernie will best be remembered as a wonderful father to two daughters who inherited his spirit, a devoted husband to the love of his life, Bonnie, and a trusted friend to so many. In his memory, donations are invited to one of his favorite charities: The UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. For more information about donations contact www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/