Individual Details

Death

Ernest A. Emerson passed away on Saturday, September 10th 2005, at age 81. He was a native Texan born in Van Zandt County; both his parents were rural school teachers. Ernest always appreciated the opportunities afforded while growing up in the country. He maintained a lifelong enthusiasm for the great outdoors. After moving to Dallas as a child, Ernest went through the Dallas school system graduating just in time to enter the armed services prior to World War II. He went on to become an aircraft commander piloting a B-17 bomber. After the war he continued his education at the University of Tennessee and completed it at Southern Methodist University in Dallas earning his bachelors degree in Business Administration. He married his high school sweetheart Ina Lee; they raised two children, a daughter, Donna, and a son, Allen. Ernest spent much of his career working for the Dallas Fire Department, starting out in fire suppression, then going to inspection, and later investigation. He became Chief Arson Investigator, where he handled some of the biggest Dallas cases. He later became the Fire Marshal for the City of Dallas. He loved Dallas and served on many boards and civic organizations. A devoted Christian, he was a Deacon in the Church of Christ, and a member of the Masonic Lodge. When the Texas Courts struck down ordinances prohibiting city employees from belonging to labor unions, the newly re-organized Dallas Fire Fighters Association elected Ernest Emerson as their first President. The Texas State Association of Fire Fighters elected him to the executive board at their next convention. Four years later they elected him President of the organization. He was active in advancing a legislative program to secure improved working conditions for both firefighters and police. He remained as State Association President for a decade until he retired from the Dallas Fire Department. When his tenure ended, the State Association honored him by designating him President Emeritus. However, his retirement was short lived as the State of Texas soon called on him to become the State Fire Marshal. Ernest moved to Austin and brought to the office of the State Fire Marshal the same fervor that he had given in Dallas. He was very involved with all aspects of the 'Fire Service', working with volunteer and professional fire fighters, fire chiefs, as well as legislative and government officials. He was a member of the Commission on Fire Protection Personnel Standards and Education, and chaired many of its most important committees. He became the first director of the Texas Commission on Fire Protection. The Ernest A. Emerson Fire Protection Resource Library has been named in his honor. At the national level, he was a member of the Board of Directors of the National Fire Protection Agency. Recently, Ernest Emerson received the 'Stone Cutters Award' for his lifetime of dedication to the betterment of the fire service. Ernest is survived by his wife Ina Lee Emerson, his daughter Donna Emerson Furr, his son-in-law Rex Furr, his grand-daughter Kristen Kirks, his son E. Allen Emerson, and his daughter-in-law Leisa D. Emerson. The family wishes to thank J. Dudley Youman, MD and his staff for the excellent care they provided Ernest. The family will receive friends from 6:00-8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 13th, at Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home in Austin. Funeral services will be held at 4:00 p.m., Wednesday, September 14, 2005, at Laurel Land Funeral Home, 6000 South R.L. Thornton Freeway, Dallas, Texas 75232 - Phone 214- 371-1336 with Dr. Wyatt Sawyer and Mr. Cary Branscum officiating. Interment will follow at Laurel Land Cemetery. Mr. Emerson's funeral will be observed with both full firefighter honors and U.S. military rites. Memorial contributions may be made to your favorite charity.
Published by Austin American-Statesman on Sep. 14, 2005