Ernest (""Ernie"") J. Kuney of South Fork, Colorado, passed away suddenly Aug. 13, 2020. He was born in Philadelphia Oct. 14, 1946. He lived in Pennsylvania, Maine and Texas and eventually moved to Colorado with Sandy, his wife of 28 years.


Ernie served in the United States Army Special Forces. As a Green Beret medic, he fought in Vietnam. After he left the Army, he became a pilot and delivered new aircraft to over 114 countries around the world on every continent except Antarctica, logging over 20,000 hours and hundreds of trans-Atlantic and trans-Pacific flights, with over 100 single engine oceanic crossings.


He was a past Master at both the Creede, Colorado, Masonic Lodge and Handley Lodge in Fort Worth, Texas as well as a 32nd degree Scottish Rite Mason. He was an active Shriner and served as an officer in the Sand Dunes Shrine Club, was currently a hospital representative and Shrine club President serving children of the San Luis Valley. Ernie was an avid outdoorsman and hunter.


He is survived by his wife Sandy, his sister Barbara Boys, his niece Jody Towel, his nephew Alexander Boys and a great-nephew Declan Towel.


A memorial service will be held on Sept. 26 at 10 a.m. at New Hope Community Church in South Fork.

Donations can be made to the Sand Dunes Shrine Club. Send to Art Jones, Treasurer, 1349 Swede Lane, Monte Vista, Colorado 81144 or to New Hope Community Church, 25258 US Hwy 160, South Fork, Colorado 81154.

https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/name/ernie-kuney-obituary?pid=196726169