Ernest Nuncio "Ernie" Columbus, CMSgt (ret.), born February 8, 1920, in Monessen, Pennsylvania, passed away peacefully and suddenly on November 23, 2024, at the remarkable age of 104 while traveling to celebrate his great-grandson's wedding in Arkansas. A devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, great-great-grandfather, and patriot, Ernie joins his beloved wife of 68 years, Beulah Pauline Columbus, who predeceased him in 2012.

A true representative of the Greatest Generation, Ernie dedicated his life to service, family, and faith. His military career began with the 28th Pennsylvania National Guard, followed by active duty in the U.S. Army during World War II, where he served in the European Theater from February 1941 to July 1945, serving in England and Germany. Ernie received the Bronze Star in 1945 for meritorious achievement in combat with the 262nd Army Infantry Regiment. After the war, following a stint in the Arkansas Air National Guard Reserves, he continued his distinguished service career in the U.S. Air Force, retiring in 1969 as a Chief Master Sergeant (E9), the highest non-commissioned officer rank, after 26 years of service. He was honored multiple times, including the Outstanding NCO of the Year for the Third Air Force in 1966, having been stationed in Little Rock, Dallas, Iceland, and England.

Ernie's career extended beyond the military. While living in Grand Prairie, TX, he worked for the American Institute for Foreign Study, where for over 20 years, he recruited, organized, and led multiple annual international educational trips for students and teachers, sharing his passion for global education with young minds. He traveled to over 35 countries with Pauline, leaving an indelible mark of wisdom and adventure on all who knew them.

In 1994, after years of service at the Turnpike Church of Christ in Grand Prairie, Ernie and Pauline retired to Whitney, TX, where he continued his active involvement at the Whitney Church of Christ, organizing monthly nursing home birthday parties, planning group trips and contributing tirelessly to church life.

A man of deep faith, rooted in humble and joyful service, Ernie exemplified Christian love and service. After many years in Whitney, Ernie and Pauline moved to Georgetown, TX, with daughter Patty and son-in-law Don Berry, where he was a member of the Georgetown Church of Christ. He was especially fond of serving at Monday Night for the Master, hosting Sunday night connection group twice a month in his home, and playing games after Sunday night group.

His kindness, wisdom, and unwavering commitment to his family and community will forever be remembered. Put simply, Ernie was a man who loved others fully. His passion for his wife, Pauline, was a constant thread linking their nearly seven decades together and persisted even after her passing.

He was a "Papaw" with boundless energy and a heart full of love, fully present in the lives of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He truly knew each of them, and they were fortunate to have him as an example for many years, blessed by his joie de vivre, unwavering encouragement, and service-oriented legacy of faith.

Ernie embodied a rare capacity to not only put others first, but to do so in a way motivated by love towards true joyfulness, marked by an ethos that celebrated engagement with others, and sparked by a near-childlike rambunctiousness that many lose in adulthood, but never faded in his active life to the end.

As evidenced by his two post-centenary sky-diving trips at ages 100 and 104, he never lost the adventurous spirit and playfulness of his youth, nor his good humor and smiling demeanor. Ernie's life was not without grief, including the early loss of his sibling Patsy, the passing of his daughter Paula when she was only 28, and the loss of Pauline in 2012. Yet, he carried his faith steadfastly, finding hope in the promise of reunion and resurrection.

Ernie was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Pauline; parents Sebastian and Lillian Columbus; 3 siblings, Michael Columbus, Patsy S. Columbus, and Patty Ayers; and his daughter, Paula Crow. He is survived by his brother Philip J. Columbus, and sisters Sylvia Davis, Connie Miller (Larry), and Jennie Thrailkill; his daughters Lillian Orlandi, and Patty Berry, and her husband, Don; his son-in-law Danny Crow and wife Bernetta. He is held dear by 9 living grandchildren: Carmen and John Rice, of North Carolina; Jennifer and Scott Teague, Jeffrey and Terrian Crow, Jarred and Jennifer Crow, Jordan and Audrey Crow, all of Arkansas; Jason and Elizabeth Berry, Nathan and Lisa Berry, Amy and Dave Fuller, Emily and Casey Whittle, all of Texas. He also leaves 22 precious great-grandchildren, 5 great-great-grandchildren, and many special nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held on Friday, December 6, 2024, from 6 to 8 pm at Ramsey Funeral Home.

A Celebration of Life Service led by his grandchildren will be held on Saturday, December 7, 2024, at 1:00 PM at the Georgetown Church of Christ in Georgetown, Texas, with a tributary video beginning at 12:25 celebrating his first 100 years.

The service will be live streamed for those unable to attend in person please go to the Public YouTube Georgetown Church of Christ . A program for the Celebration of Life is available HERE for anyone watching the Celebration via Livestream.

Burial will follow on Monday, December 9, at 10:00 AM at the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery in Killeen, Texas.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Fuller Life Family Therapy Institute , a nonprofit founded by his granddaughter to provide affordable therapy and training, or to the charity of your choice.

Messages or memories may be shared in the memorial guest book at www.RamseyFuneral.com .