Ernest (Ernie) Gene Stumpf, 94, passed away on March 29, 2024, at his home in Greeley, CO after an 8-year battle with Congestive Heart Failure. Ernie was the sone of Henry and Katherine Stumpf and was born in Haxtun, CO shortly after his twin brother, Gene. Ernie was raised on the farm north of Crook, CO. Ernie was a teacher/counselor/coach in the Crook, CO and Yuma, CO schools for 37 years and a resident of Yuma, CO for 45 years before moving to Greeley, CO in 2001 to be closer to his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Ernie’s wife, Ruth, of more than 66 years preceded him in death along with his brother, Gene, and his parents. Ernie leaves behind his sone Kenneth (Tena) Stumpf of Eaton, CO and his daughter Kathi (Paul) Miller of Greeley, CO; grandchildren Sarah (Mike) Avrech of Severance, CO; Kelly (Todd) Stanclift of Eaton, CO and Kristin (Jacob) Campbell of Casper, WY; great grandchildren Sydnee, Harper and Brody Avrech, Haleigh and Ryder Stanclift and Cullen Campbell and many relatives, friends, former students and student/athletes.
Ernie graduated from Crook, CO High School in 1948, from Northeastern Junior College in Sterling, CO in 1950, and from Colorado State College in Greeley, CO in 1956. Ernie proudly served 2 years in the U.S. Army from 1951-1953 spending 19 months stationed in Japan during the Korean conflict and was Honorably Discharged from U.S. Army reserve in 1956. Ernie earned his Master’s Degree from Western State College (Gunnison, CO) in 1968. Ernie coached high school football and basketball for 18 years and was a part of 1 State Champion football team and 2 State Champion basketball teams and many state playoff teams. Ernie and Ruth attended many sports events over the years with one of their favorites being Colorado Buffalo football games, which they had season tickets for over 25 years. Ernie followed all sports but his last great thrill was knowing that the Yuma boys basketball team won the 3A State Championship and the Yuma girls basketball won third place recently. After both retired from teaching, Ernie and Ruth loved to travel and went to Chicago, IL four times to see his favorite pro sports team, the Chicago Cubs.
Ernie was a former member of the Yuma VFW and the First Presbyterian Church of Yuma and a present member of the Cornerstone Community Church in Greeley, CO.
A Life Celebration will be held on April 8, 2024 at Adamson Mortuary, 2000 47th Avenue in Greeley, CO with a viewing at 9 a.m. and a service at 10 a.m. Burial and reception will follow at Adamson. No Memorial Gifts are requested. Cards and Condolences may be sent to Adamson Mortuary or to adamsoncares.com.