Ervin was born July 18, 1963 in Roundup, Montana. He was the youngest of six. He came from very humble beginnings. His early life they lived in the rock house carved into the side of the mountain.

From a young age he loved the outdoors and animals, especially dogs. He always felt at home being in nature. As a small boy his brother Jimmer recalls them riding Shetland ponies. Ervin fell off his but grabbed onto the tail sliding through thorns and thistle and he would not let go. He spent many hours horseback riding, fishing, and playing outside.

He was a free spirit and a rambunctious boy; that remained in him the rest of his life. At some point in his late teen years, he moved in with his sister Terri. He often cared for her children when she had to work or do something. At one point they all had colds and she had Vicks simmering on the stove humidifying the house, and Ervin gave all three kids some to drink. They felt better after that.

In his late teens and early 20's he started riding the rails. He'd just hop a train and go wherever it went. He traveled all over the West coast and Southern part of the United States in that fashion. He always came back with great stories of these adventures. He was not happy when they locked the cars and he could no longer travel in this fashion.

Now that he could no longer travel in style, he started settling down some. He was a very hard worker. He worked concrete. Around 1989 he moved to Georgia where he continued to work concrete, but moved back to Montana around 1991. He despised working for the man, so upon his return he started hauling firewood, and later expanded that to post and pole.

He was exactly where he wanted to be. He spent most of this time camping out and only coming to town for brief visits and supplies. Many times, his sister Terri and her kids would come out camping for a couple days here and there. His niece Tina recalls one trip where his cassette got stuck and played Tommy James and the Shondells "Crimson and Clover" on repeat. Everyone was tired of that song. When winter would come around he stayed with family or friends, but still went out to haul firewood.

In 1995 he met his long-time Ol' Lady, Peggy. They spent their time camping, hauling firewood, and gold mining. March 3, 1997 their first son Festus was born, followed by Forrest on November 22, 1998. With the arrival of his boys who were the apple of his eye he decided it was time to put down roots. They purchased a property in Wicks, Montana where they raised the family.

He spent many hours fishing, camping, gold mining and cutting firewood with his boys. He taught them all about chain saws inside and out. He instilled hard work into his boys from the beginning.

His boys' favorite memories of him are all in the mountains. His great sense of humor, always teasing and joking. He always had a nick name for everyone and something smart ass to say.

Ervin passed away peacefully on December 20, 2022. His free spirit will continue to blow in the breeze.

He was preceded in death by his parents James and Marge Parry, brother David Parry, sister Terri Cox, sister Stella Parry, and great niece Chenoa Marcum.

He is survived by his Ol' Lady Peggy Ballard, his sons Festus (Ashley) Parry and Forrest Parry, grandchildren Colton, Winter, and Storm, brothers Jimmer (Rae) Parry, and John (Tara) Parry, nieces Tina (Jamie) Marcum, Opal Cox, Harmony Parry, December Parry, Kenzi Parry, nephews Johnathon Cox and Colton Parry, and many many more.

Life's a bitch and then you die. Adios!