Ervin, "Coach" Brunson, a native of Brooklyn, New York, was born Ervin William Brunson on December 6, 1948, to Ervin and Nettie Brunson. After moving to Durham, North Carlina, he was baptized at Mt. Zoar Missionary Baptist Church at a very early age, graduated from Merrick-Moore High School, and was immediately drafted into the United States Army during the Viet Nam era. Upon his honorable discharge, he enrolled in and received a bachelor's degree in Recreation from Virginia Union University in Richmond, Virginia. While at Virginia Union he served as a student assistant basketball coach working with players, some of whom later became NBA notables. While in Richmond, he was recognized by the City of Richmond for outstanding team efforts made to ensure an overwhelmingly successful basketball season in the CIAA Conference for the Panthers of Virginia Union.

Working in the mental health field and coaching basketball were two of his great loves. This was evidenced by his work with Ennis and Associates, a foster care agency in Flint, Michigan. During his time in Flint, he received recognition from the City of Flint for outstanding volunteer service. While coaching at LCC, he also worked as a psych tech at Sparrow Hospital, St. Lawrence Campus, Lansing, Michigan.

For 24 years, Ervin served as the head coach for the Lansing Community College (LCC) Lady Stars. During this time, he earned Coach of the Year for the Michigan Community College Athletic Association (MCCAA) four times. Additionally, his team won the MCCAA Championship three times.  Finally, his coaching skills took him all the way to winning the National Junior College Championship in 1996 with a roster of only seven players. In 2017 Coach Brunson gave up his whistle and bid farewell to coaching after 41 years. He was the third LCC Lady Stars basketball coach and the only coach to win a national championship.

Ervin was preceded in death by: his parents; a daughter, Alesha Robinson-Taylor; a brother, Shelton Brunson; and sisters, Carolyn Staten, Jackie Kelly, and Sharon Brunson. He is survived by: a son, Kevin Reid of Atlanta, Georgia; a daughter, Malika Brunson of Lansing, Michigan; three sisters, Earlene Murray of Conyers, Georgia, Andrea Brunson, and Lydia Blackburn (Orville) of Brooklyn, New York; a brother, Gregory Brunson (Keisha) of Brooklyn, New York; four grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends.

Arrangements for Mr. Brunson are as follows: