DAVID MICHAEL ERNST

On Tuesday, May 2, 2023, David Ernst, loving brother, teacher, and friend of many, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family and pets at the age of 29.

David was born on June 25, 1993, in Dallas, Texas, to Lou and Deborah Ernst and grew up in Rowlett, Texas.  David is remembered as a kind, gentle person who was never angry and could light up a room with his big smile.  He learned to play the trumpet in high school, excelled and earned first chair.  He graduated with honors from Texas Tech in 2014 and earned his master’s degree from UT San Antonio in 2016.  He was a loved teacher for many years at Harmony Academy in San Antonio and was a student favorite for the way he encouraged his students in and out of the classroom and made learning fun. David was an avid sports fan and busy athlete who could often be found at the gym or playing a game of pickup basketball in his spare time.  He had three nephews and three nieces whom he loved doting on and took every opportunity to be with them, cheering them on at their sports or visiting them out of state.  David loved his animals, especially his giant Schnauzer, Nelson, Frenchie, Sloan, and cats Lily and Lulu.  David was a force of positivity that those who knew him will long remember and treasure.  Even during his 2.5-year fight with osteosarcoma, he was often the one giving others encouraging advice and emotional support.  He embraced joy, despite circumstances, and encouraged others to do the same.  He was always brave and steadfast and never gave his illness one advantage it didn’t already have on him.  David was preceded in death by his father, Louis Albert Ernst, and paternal grandparents, Vernon, and Joan Ernst.  He is survived by his mother, Deborah Ernst, stepfather, Rick Sims, brothers, Lou (and Rachel) Ernst and Justin (and Amanda) Shackleford, sisters, Katie (and Brandon) Jung and April (and Steve) Scott, step-stepsister, Laura Sims, grandparents, Wanda and Spurgeon Peaden and his many cousins, uncles, aunts, nephews, and nieces.  THE FAMILY SINCERELY thanks the hospital and specific staff that took such good care of him at the hospital he first received chemo treatment in San Antonio and during his second round of chemo and major surgeries at UT Southwestern.

“Whatever you do, don’t give up.” – David Ernst

*Obituary written by Mr. Ernst's loving family