Obituary: Mcleish, Ernest D.
Ernie was born January 6, 1939, to Earl and Opal McLeish.
Ernie had many interests, activities, and life experiences.
He was hard working, competitive, and of strong character.
He persevered through the death of his Mother, Opal, when he was 10.
He moved in with his uncle, Frank Kinkaid, in Spokane, in his junior year of high school at North Central.
As well as working part-time jobs, he played football there, and was selected for ‘Spokane All-Stars’.
He went to Whitworth College on a football scholarship, and was selected for the All-State College football game.
His passion for the game gained him many life-long friends; coaches and players alike.
Ernie was married in ‘61 to Bonnie (Paula B.)
Raney, and started his family.
While working other jobs, he earned his Certified Public Accounting degree at Kinman Business University.
Ernie was the President of Hoffman Music Company for the past 45 years with his business partner, and good friend, Earl Smith.
Hoffman Music will miss their long-time dedicated President very much.
Ernie enjoyed many aspects of life.
He especially enjoyed his volunteering as a Junior League football coach for 28 years for Spokane Youth Sports Association.
He influenced the lives of many young men.
Sadly, at 39, Ernie was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis.
He battled this disease.
He was an inspiration to most everyone he met.
For that and many reasons, we thank him and wish him peace in his rest.
He was the fabric of our lives and we hope to honorably carry on his memory ….We love you Dad!
Grandpa!
Brother!
Uncle!
Husband and Champion!
The last 24 years of Ernie’s life were enriched by his relationship with his wife, Jane; her two daughters, Jennifer and Jessica and her son, Chuck.
In 1998 Ernie and Jessica road their bicycles across the U.S., from Disneyland to Disney World.
Quite an accomplishment!
Ernie is survived by his wife, Jane Dotson McLeish; children, Debra Roy and husband, John Roy, Brent McLeish and Shari Soejima, Kevin McLeish and wife, Molly Allen McLeish, Jessica Ryan McLeish, Jennifer Ryan McLeish, Chuck Ryan and wife Tina Ryan; brother, Kenneth McLeish; sister, JoAnn Smith, sister, Yvonne Johnson; eight loving grandchildren; nephew, Darin McLeish; niece Shelly McLeish.
A tribute to Ernie will be held at The Lincoln Center, on March 29, 2014, at 2:00 p.m., 1316 North Lincoln Street, Spokane, WA.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Second Harvest Food Bank, or the local chapter of the MS Society.
Condolences for the family may be offered in the Guestbook, online at Riplingerfuneralhome.com.