Ernest F. Deleon

Ernest F. De Leon, 92, passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by his family on the 16th of June, 2022.

Ernest F. De Leon was born in Kingsville, Texas, son of the late Andres De Leon and Herlinda F. De Leon. Ernest graduated from Bishop High School, excelling in academics and basketball, leading the Bishop Badgers as team captain. He enlisted in the United States Army and fought in the Korean War from 1950-1952. He attended Texas A&I University, where he earned his BA and MBA. Here, he met the love of his life, Beatriz Ortega. Once married, they moved to the Rio Grande Valley, settling first in Edcouch-Elsa and then Brownsville, where they raised their four daughters. In Brownsville, Ernest began his 54 year career in insurance and real estate, building his agency from the ground up. All four of his daughters proudly worked for him.

Ernest is preceded in death by his wife, Beatriz Ortega De Leon and his sisters, Herminia and Erlinda De Leon.

Survivors include his four daughters: Sylvia (Ygnacio) Garza, Edna De Leon, Selma (Daniel) Yznaga, and Nelda Beatriz (David) Garza. He is lovingly survived by his nine grandchildren: Mariza (Aaron) Warshawsky, Cassandra (Nick) Cowen, Jacqueline Tamayo, Jacob Tamayo, Joseph Tamayo, Karla Garza, Kelli Garza, Emma Yznaga, Daniel Yznaga II, and four great-grandchildren: Charlotte, John, and Caroline Cowen and Liliana Warshawsky. Ernest is also survived by two brothers: Andres (Janie) De Leon Jr. of Bishop and Arnoldo (Diana) De Leon of Corpus Christi, and many beloved nephews & nieces.

Ernest served his community with great commitment. He joined the Lions Club in 1962, serving in numerous leadership positions including District 2A governor. He was a Jack Wiech Fellow. He chaired the Good Neighbor Settlement House, Brownsville Community Health Center, Cameron County Appraisal Review Board and more than once, his beloved Brownsville/SPI Board of Realtors. Ernest was also a productive member of El Buen Pastor United Methodist Church and First United Methodist Church Brownsville.

In addition to owning a successful family business, community service, and raising his four girls, Ernest was an avid and skilled deer hunter and made Rancho La Trampa Ramirena in Zapata, TX his home away from home.

Ernest will be remembered for his strong values: family, education, and service to the community. His generosity, big smile, and positive attitude will live in our hearts forever.

Visitation hours will held on Tuesday, June 21, 2022, between the hours of four o’clock in the afternoon to nine o’clock in the evening with a Celebration of Life Service officiated by Rev. Santos Ortiz scheduled to begin at seven o’clock in the evening  in the East Chapel at Darling-Mouser Funeral Home. Graveside services will be held at one o’clock in the afternoon on Wednesday, June 22, 2022, at Buena Vista Burial Park. We invite those wishing to attend to meet us at Buena Vista Burial Park. Military honors will be conducted by the VFW Funeral Honor Guard.

Serving as pallbearers are Jacob Tamayo, Joseph Tamayo, Daniel Yznaga II, Ygnacio Garza, Daniel Yznaga, David Garza, Guillermo Guajardo and Joseph A Tamayo. Serving as Ernest’s honorary pallbearers are Werner Dramberger, Mario Fuentes,Juan Villarreal, Rosalio Rosales, Jesse Rodriguez, Felix Escobedo, Mauro Villarreal, Cesar Salinas, BF Saldana, Simon Garza, Enrique Gonzalez, Johnny Treviño, Joe Lozano, Joe Lugo and his beloved members of the West Brownsville Lions Club.

The family wishes to thank Ernest's faithful caregiver, Olivia Mayan, for her unrelenting commitment and service.

Memories of Ernest may be shared at www.darlingmouser.com.

Personalized funeral arrangements directed by Loraine G. Knoch and Staff have been entrusted to Darling-Mouser Funeral Home at 945 Palm Boulevard in Brownsville, Texas 78520, (956) 546-7111.