Ernest Miller 'Ernie' Ingram, 85, lifetime Aberdeen resident and founding partner of Ingram, Zelasko & Goodwin, died Saturday morning, October 1, 2011 at Providence St. Peter Hospital in Olympia, WA.



Ernie was born on August 8, 1926 in Aberdeen to Robert Morton and Catherine (Miller) Ingram. His fraternal grandfather, James Albert Ingram was one of the early Lake Quinault pioneers. Paternal grandfather Ernest C. Miller, founded E.C. Miller Cedar Lumber Company, which operated in Grays Harbor County until the early 1980’s.



Ingram graduated from Aberdeen's Weatherwax High School in 1944. He graduated from the University of Washington with a Juris Doctorate in 1950. On October 7, 1950, Ernie married Gloria Willfong in Seattle, WA and returned to the Harbor, where he made his home and opened his law practice. In 1960, he partnered with Ted Zelasko and founded the firm that is now known as Ingram, Zelasko and Goodwin. Ernie practiced law for more than 50 years, retiring in 2006.



Ernie provided untold hours of Pro Bono legal work for many community organizations, including incorporating non-profits at no cost. He was a founding member and past president of the Grays Harbor Community Foundation, and founding member of the Grays Harbor College Foundation. Over the years he served as president of the Grays Harbor Chamber of Commerce, Aberdeen Rotary Club, United Way of Grays Harbor, Driftwood Players and the Aberdeen School Board.



Following the death of his wife Gloria in 1988, Ernie married Tobi Anderson in 1990. Tobi resides at the family home in Cosmopolis, WA. Together they continued an active association with the Driftwood players. In his many years on the stage, Ernie appeared in more than 100 Driftwood productions and, in later years, focused on intricate, creative set design. After his retirement from his law practice, he and Tobi split their time between activities on the Harbor and at their home in Sun City West, Arizona. In Arizona, he continued his theater activities and played golf with his Phi Kappa Psi fraternity brothers. Throughout his life he enjoyed music, theater and literature. He had a particular passion for ragtime music, musical theater and rare book collecting.



Ernie is survived by his wife of 21 years, Tobi Ingram of Cosmopolis; Daughters: Cynthia ( Harold Cates) of Sacramento, CA, Pamela (Craig Mehlhoff) of Aberdeen and Anita 'Nina' (Gary Morean) of Aberdeen, WA; Stepsons: Steven Anderson (Kristin) of Pasco, WA; Rick Anderson (Tami) of Kennewick, WA; Dean Anderson (Robin) of Hoquiam, WA; Stepdaughter: Cheri Anderson of Portland, OR; Grandchildren: Byron Roope, Gloria and Julia Mosby, Kyle and Whitney Morean, Evan and Renzel Mehlhoff; Step-grandchildren: Adin, Delaney, Bailey, Brianne and Nick Anderson and Max Fletcher; Great Grandson: Benjamin Roope; Brothers: Robert Morton Ingram, Jr. of California and James Albert Ingram of Tacoma, WA. A son, Ernest Miller Ingram, Jr. preceded Ernie in death as an infant.



A celebration of Ernie's life will be held on Saturday, October 8, 2011 at 1:00 PM at the First Presbyterian Church, Aberdeen, WA. Reception will follow at the church. Donations in Ernie’s memory may be made to the Driftwood Players: PO Box 1956, Aberdeen, Washington. A message of condolence or of a memory can be left for the family at www.fernhillfuneral.com

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Fern Hill Funeral Home in Aberdeen, WA.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Ernest Miller "Ernie" Ingram, please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.

Affiliations