Donald Wayne Frank Thomas Ernst

Donald Wayne Frank Thomas Ernst, 89, passed away in an Amarillo, Texas hospital with his daughter, Debra Ernst Wallace, by his side on Friday, October 9, 2026. Don was born at home on their family farm near Rosebud, Texas on September 25, 1937, to Leon Ernst and Loretta Janicek Ernst. Don was the eldest of four boys and at 6’5”, the second tallest after his brother, James, who was 6’7”. His father was a cotton farmer and raised sheep. There was always plenty of work on the farm, but his mother did say that she often found Don reading a book under the cotton plants rather than picking cotton. Don was an avid reader all his life.

Don served honorably in the U.S. Army as a Field Artillery Specialist and was stationed in Korea. He was devoted to his army buddies and met yearly with them at their reunion, usually in Branson, Missouri. Don was the first in his family to graduate from college. He graduated from North Texas State University with a degree in Business Management. He started his career at Braniff Airlines in the computer department. We kids enjoyed making holiday decorations and crafts with all the old computer cards! Though Don was book smart he did not do well with cars. His brother, Lee, delighted in telling the story of how Don drained the transmission when changing the oil on his car.

Don was always well dressed...a quiet man with a calm sophistication. He took great pride in his appearance, especially his hair. He often pulled out a comb to style it. When his youngest brother, Leslie, a marine, came to visit and they were swimming in the pool, we could all hear Don crying out,” Don’t mess up my hair!” as Leslie repeatedly dunked him in the pool! Of course, it was more like “har” as Don had a strong Texas accent.

Don married Dr. Patricia J. Campbell in 1966 and legally adopted her daughter, Cathlynn Campbell. Don and Patricia had two additional children, Debra Campbell Ernst Wallace and Derek Campbell Ernst. Don and Patricia divorced in 1973.

Don loved playing poker, Texas Hold’em, and you would often find him at Winstar in Oklahoma. He made several visits to Vegas each year as well but never hit it big like he hoped. Don was devoted to his entire family. Whether it was his children, grandchildren or great-grandchildren, brothers, cousins, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, he rarely missed a birthday, graduation, wedding, funeral, holiday, party or sporting event. He consistently sent cards to his family to acknowledge birthdays and special occasions and attended the yearly family reunion in Cyclone, Texas.

Don was preceded in death by his parents Leon and Loretta Ernst; brothers, James, and Leon, Jr., and his ex-wife, Dr. Patricia J. Campbell.

Don will be missed by daughters, Cathlynn Campbell Ernst Brothers of Eula, Texas, Debra Campbell Ernst Wallace (Scotty) of Lorenzo, Texas; son, Derek Campbell Ernst (Paula) of Merkel, Texas; 9 grandchildren, Michelle Brothers of Saginaw, Texas, Laura Brothers Green (Alex) of Aledo, Texas , Matthew Brothers of Eula, Texas, Ian Brothers of Eula, Texas, Petty Officer First Class (Lauren Ernst Marsh), USN (Elliott) currently stationed in New Jersey, Tres Perkins of Lorenzo, Texas, Caleb Ernst of Dallas, Texas, Colby Ernst of Abilene, Texas, Creed Ernst of Abilene, Texas; 3 great-grandchildren, Ripley Alexander Marsh, Steven Michael Ernst, and great granddaughter, Lucy Saphira Campbell Brothers; his brother, Leslie Ernst, (Nobuko) of Okinawa, Japan; and numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews and extended family.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on October 19th, 2026, at House of Angels Funeral Home, 1928 34th Street, Lubbock, Texas 79411, followed by a military burial at 1:00 p.m. at the West Texas State Veterans Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggest that memorial donations can be made to the Department of Veterans Affairs or a charity of your choice.