Ernest Jackson Sontag

Ernest Jackson Sontag, age 98, died peacefully in his Taft, CA home on September 22, 2020 surrounded by family and friends. Mr. Sontag was born July 1, 1922 in Taft, CA to Arno and Edna Sontag where remained a lifelong resident.

In 1941 he joined the Coast Guard and was assigned to the California coastline. After Pearl Harbor, he was sent to Hawaii to serve on various ships in the Pacific Ocean to provide support for the US Navy.

After WWII, Mr. Sontag became an oil worker for Standard Oil Company. He retired after 20 years to become a professional golfer and participate in various tournaments throughout California. Most weekends he would be found playing golf at Buena Vista Golf Course just minutes from Taft.

He married to Alice Sontag (Mary Alice Phillips) on October 22, 1990 where they remained married until her death in 2009.

Mr. Sontag is survived by his grandchildren Jeremy French (Monica), Joshua French, Benjamin French, Mary Callison, and William Phillips Jr. He is survived by his son-in-law, Patrick Olexa, that he felt was his own child. He is also survived by his niece Jacquelin Spiker (Roy), several great grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, great nieces, great nephews, and great-great nieces and nephews.

Mr. Sontag is preceded in death by his parents Arno and Edna Sontag, his brother John, his sisters Josephine and Pauline, his wife Mary Alice Sontag, his daughter Debra Olexa(Patrick), his son William Phillips, and his grandson Matthew French.

Funeral arrangements will be coordinated by Erickson &Brown Funeral Home in Taft, CA. Mr. Sontag is a WWII Veteran and will be buried with full military honors at Westside Cemetery in Taft, CA. 

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