PROMINENT BALTIMORE CITY DENTIST, ERNEST J. COLVIN, DIES

Softly and peacefully, on Tuesday, January 20, 2015, prominent Baltimore City dentist, Ernest James Colvin passed away in Howard County, Md. due to complications from a stroke. Deciding to live just long enough to see another year, he went home to be with the Lord on his 84th birthday. Yes, that was Ernest Colvin – always living life on his own terms.

Ernest was born on January 20, 1931 to the late Alex Colvin and Alberta Moffatt Colvin of Rock Hill, South Carolina.  The son of a sharecropper, he developed a deep love of agriculture and the simplicity of living off the land. He also enjoyed the comfort of a loving and close knit family as one of 7 siblings.

Ernest, who was affectionately called “Ernie” by his friends and family, was a pioneer in dentistry and in business – a visionary in the city of Baltimore.  He will be remembered as a consummate entrepreneur who believed in building lives, communities, and hearts.

In his youth, his passion for learning and his spirit of competition garnered him the moniker “Right Answer”.  He enjoyed being “right” in the classroom and on the football field, where he played tackle for Emmett Scott High School in Rock Hill, SC.

While in high school Ernie began to study and fall in love with the Catholic faith.   Being fiercely individualistic he decided that he wanted to follow this faith in spite of his Southern Baptist upbringing.

Ernie moved to Baltimore, Md. and continued his studies at Morgan State University (then Morgan College) where he earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology. He pledged Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. as an undergraduate, becoming a member of the Alpha Iota Chapter. He developed the love of the life-long brotherhood that would become one of the lynchpins of his life. He was also a member of the Kappa Hellians of Baltimore. He loved his fraternity and his university and never missed a MSU Homecoming.

Ernie continued his studies at Howard University’s School of Dentistry where he received a Doctorate of Dental Surgery in 1968. His education gave birth to his dynamic interest in entrepreneurship. He wanted to dedicate his life to helping African Americans in the city of Baltimore to care for themselves and ultimately create a higher vision of themselves. Subsequently, he opened dental offices that would serve the people of Baltimore City. His location in the Park Heights area served thousands of patients and families for nearly 50 years. He also opened an office in the Govans area of Baltimore City with other dental associates and was a member of the Maryland Dental Association.  Ernie inspired the lives of dentists, dental professionals, and patients; many of whom remembered and thanked him when they would see him in the community.

In addition to growing his career pursuits, Ernie’s passion for horses kept pace. This love came about when he worked at Charlestown Race Track during his college years. The regal and peaceful nature of the horse juxtaposed against its potential power on the race track captivated him. That experience took root and grew into ownership of thoroughbred race horses and boarding stables in Maryland and West Virginia. He went on to pioneer the horse racing community by becoming the first African American Chairman of the Maryland Racing Commission where he served for two terms and also served as a board member on the Commission.

As an avid tennis player he often encouraged his associates to practice because they would need to bring their “A” game if they intended to beat him on the court. He was as religious about the game of tennis as he was about Catholicism. His devotion was clear as he attended St. Ambrose Roman Catholic Church in Baltimore City, and most recently St. Louis Parish in Clarksville, Md. The only sport second to tennis was football. Playing in fantasy football leagues with his friends (which he needed to win) and watching the Ravens brought him much joy.

With the dental practices, stables and commissioner duties, it’s hard to believe he had time to relax. Somehow he did and that time was spent in Las Vegas. There you could find Ernie at his favorite casino, Caesars Palace, holding court in his Kappa colors.

Ernie enjoyed many of these activities with his wife Antonia “Toni” Colvin who he married in 2007 after a beautiful courtship. As his confidante and willing competitor, she was just as passionate about football and the Ravens, and grew to enjoy Las Vegas as much as he did.

He endured several illnesses over the last several years. Being the fierce competitor we knew him to be, he made miraculous recoveries. The day before his passing, while surrounded by family, friends and his wife; Ernie enjoyed a festive birthday celebration.

He leaves to mourn his passing his devoted wife, Antonia “Toni”; son, Ernest James II “Jimmy”; daughter, Christina Sykes (Anthony); granddaughters, Morgan and Taylor; sisters Ola Jackson and Evelyn Barnes; sisters-in-law Carolyn Colvin and Inell Colvin; and a host of loving and devoted nieces and nephews.

In addition, he hasd many loyal friends and colleagues throughout the United States. Each of whom have “tales” to tell about their dear friend “Ernie”. Most include his spirit of competition and how he encouraged and inspired them.

Services for Ernest J. Colvin will be held on Friday, February 6 at 11:00 a.m. at Saint Louis Parish located at 12500 Clarksville Pike, Clarksville, MD, 21029.  Additional information may be found here: http://www.gaschs.com/obituaries/Ernest-Colvin/.