Ernie Fugate, 94, passed away peacefully on Sept. 7, 2017, in Oceanside, CA, where he resided with his daughter, Deborah, and her family for the past 4 ½ years.
Born in Hardburly, KY, Nov. 8, 1922, he and his wife of 54 years, Patty Jean Elias, made their family home in Louisville.
A veteran of both World War II and the Korean War, Ernie served in the United States Army for 20 years and retired as Master Sergeant on July 31, 1961. During WW II, Ernie and his company were captured at the Battle of El Guettar in Tunisia. He was held prisoner for 26 months in various German Stalags and was liberated by Russian troops in May 1945. After WW II, Ernie remained in the Army, and was honored to be a guard at the Nuremburg Trials. He later fought and was wounded in the Korean War. His Military Awards include the POW Medal, the Purple Heart, and the Bronze Star. In 1961, after retiring from the U. S. Army, Ernie worked for Durkee Foods, in Louisville.
He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Patty Jean Fugate.
Ernie is survived by his daughter, Deborah Ruth Fugate-Charron (Robert) and his three grandchildren: Amanda McNeil Budiselic (Mike), David Ashe Fugate Charron, and Travis Jonathon Fugate Charron, as well as many nieces and nephews. He will be greatly missed and fondly remembered by all that knew him.
Visitation will be from 1-4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 17, at the Owen Funeral Home, 5317 Dixie Highway, Louisville, KY 40217.
The funeral service is 11 a.m. Monday, at the funeral home. Burial will follow with military honors in Kentucky Veterans’ Cemetery Central in Radcliff, KY.
In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be expressed in the form of contributions to the Disabled American Veterans, or the U.S.O..