Ernest Edward Felts Sr., 85, passed away Monday, Oct. 24, 2016, at Baptist Hospital in Pensacola, Florida. He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry Edward Felts and Mary Lou Eaves; infant brother, William E. Felts; sisters, Gwendolyn Friday (Hoyd), Helen Capps (David) and Bernice Sharp (Otto); and a daughter, Wanda K. Vasser. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Irma J Felts; daughter, Vickie J Felts; son, Ernest E Felts Jr.; grandchildren, Elmer Eugene South III, Randi Haugen-Peirce, William Edward Vasser, Nicholas Fletcher Felts and Kiel Eden Felts; and great-granddaughter Eden Louise Felts.

Mr. Felts was born in Selma on Feb. 19, 1931. He worked at Craig Air Force Base as a jet engine mechanic until it closed in 1977. He moved to Pensacola, Florida, in 1977 and worked at the Pensacola Naval Air Station until he retired in 1986.

Before and after retirement he spent many years camping in Camden, where he made many friends and was considered the informal mayor of Roland Cooper State Park by his fellow campers. He was an avid hunter/fisherman that taught his grandchildren how to fish and instilled in them a love of the outdoors.

Services will be held at the Selma Funeral Home Chapel at 2 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 27, with interment following at Pineview Memory Gardens.