Obituary of Ernest Perry Bingham

Ernest was born August 24, 1940, in Birmingham, Alabama, and passed away May 11, 2020, in Tacoma, Washington.

Ernest was beloved by his family, and was known as Opa to his adoring grandchildren.  He also had many friends in the United States, as well as in Germany. 

He is survived by his wife of more than 50 years, Renate; son, Karsten, his wife Regine, and their children, Jan, Jule, and Keith of Germany; son, Ralph, his wife Melissa, and their son, Chandler of Washington; daughter, Christine, her partner Rick McCollum, and their children, Killian and Amara of Washington; and his sister Kitty, her family, and numerous nieces and nephews of Alabama.

Ernest served his country with distinction for 20 years in the U.S. Army.  He was stationed for two tours duty at Ft. Bliss in El Paso, Texas; South Korea; Schweinfurt, Babenhausen, and Budingen, Germany.  He retired from service at Ft. Lewis, Washington. 

After retiring from the Army, he worked for the North Thurston School District for 26 years.  He was a well-loved custodian at Mountain View Elementary School, Nisqually Middle School, Komachin Middle School, and Lydia Hawk Elementary School, where he worked until he retired. 

A memorial and celebration of life will be held at a later date, when gatherings are once again allowed.  In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Ernest's memory to a charity of your choice.

He will be interred at Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent, Washington. 

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NO FLOWERS, PLEASE.