Ernest Claude Wakham

Ernest C. Wakham (EC) beloved husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather, passed away on November 5, 2026, in Arvada, CO. EC was born in Birmingham, Alabama, to the late Herbert A. and Annie Rachel (Alexander) Wakham.

EC grew up and attended schools in Granada, MS He graduated from Granada High School in 1955. Further education included: Associate of Arts, 1958, Holmes Junior College, Bachelor of Business Administration, 1962, University of Mississippi, Oxford, Mississippi, Master of Arts, Social Studies, 1975, University of Northern Colorado, and PHD (ABD), 1987, Public Administration, Graduate School of Public Administration, University of Colorado, Denver. EC served honorably in the US Army, Ft Bragg, from 1958-1960.

With the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965, EC went to Montgomery, Alabama to encourage black people in Alabama to vote. He explained the system to folks who never in their lifetimes dreamed they’d be allowed to pull a deciding lever.

EC lived in New Jersey and was married to Diane Mitchell. In New Jersey, EC served as Director, Local Government Training, Department of Community Affairs, State of New Jersey, Trenton from 1968-1970.

EC served as Executive Secretary, (Staff Director), to the President’s Advisory Council on Intergovernmental Personnel Policy in Washington DC from 1971-1974. He directed policy research and prepared analyses and recommendations for this statutory body appointed by the President and reporting jointly to the President and Congress.

While in Washington, EC met his future wife, Patricia. The government stepped in with a job promotion and transfer to Berkely, California and then to Denver, CO. He convinced Pat to move to Denver, and they were married in August 1981.

EC served as Director, Western Management Development Center, US Office of Personnel Management, Denver, CO 1979-1993. The Center achieved and maintained accreditation by the American Council of Education for academic credit at the graduate level. The Center won the Outstanding Public Service Award of the Denver Federal Executive Board as well as citations of merit from the State of Colorado, the University of Colorado, and the City and County of Denver.

EC enjoyed travel with his family, reading, playing bridge, travel to far away places and the occasional game of golf.

EC is survived by a host of family that includes his beloved wife, Pat, four sons: Brock (Terri), Phil (Robin), Doug (Holley), and Scott (Kim), grandchildren: Garrett, Jordyn, Chelsea, Claudia (Stephen), Colleen, Hannah, Haley, Meghan, Kate and Wilson, and great- grandsons: Chase, Mason and Jackson, many wonderful nieces and nephews and many wonderful friends.

In addition to his parents, EC was preceded in death by his brother, Elvin, sister, Josephine, sister Doris (Don), and sister, Lily May.

Visitation will take place on Tuesday, November 17, 2026, from 4-7 PM at Horan McConaty, 7577 W. 80th Avenue in Arvada, with a recitation of the Holy Rosary at 6 PM. A Catholic Funeral Rite will be offered on Wednesday, November 18th at 10:30 AM at Spirit of Christ Catholic Church, 7400 W. 80th Avenue in Arvada. Interment at 1:30pm will follow at Ft Logan National Cemetery.

Please visit horancares.com to share personal condolences and memories with the Wakham-Williams family.