I was Ernie's 1st love. I knew is mother, Dawn, father Ernie, Sr, sister, Julie, & brother, Kevin in Mesa AZ. I have seen that Julie is the only surviving member of the Bates family; my sincere heart-felt condolences to you, Julie.

I remember when your dad bought his little red, Sunbeam sports car & Ernie's psychedelic, green, VW. Ernie was part of a cool group of friends; Scott Morris, Gary Rugal, Dan Stirnaman & Jeff Morton. Ernie had the first stereo system among us all where the speakers had psychedelic, flashing lights (I guess he was a psychedelic kind'a guy :)  For his 16th Birthday I bought him the Chicago album with his favorite song: I'm A Man. We swam in your above ground swimming pool, went to the lake in your boat & I think your dog's name was Heidi (?) I baked your mom an angel food Birthday cake that flopped because I frosted it (your mom later reminded me that to do so, the cake had to be frozen.) I adored your mom; her long black hair, green eyes...she was always so good to me. We would grocery shop & she smoked in the store (I had never seen anyone do that)! Ernie's bedroom was was built on to the back of the house. He took me to my very first concert: Jethro Tull. He bought me my first red roses.

Ernie, may you rest in peace.

I will remember you, always.

Love, Becki Brown