Roll Call Tribute

Ernesto L. De Leon
July 24, 1935 - June 2, 2022

Ernesto L. De Leon, 86, of Brownsville, passed away on Thursday, the 2nd of June 2022 at Rio Grande Regional Hospital in McAllen, Texas.

Ernesto L. De Leon was born in Brownsville, Texas, son of the late Amelia Vera and Ramon De Leon. He was a descendant of Brownsville's Pioneer Family. His origins trace back approximately 241 years when Salvador de la Garza settled the Spanish Land Grants in Northern Mexico and what is now South Texas in 1781.

Ernesto graduated from Saint Joseph Academy Class of 1953 and from Texas A&M in 1957. He married Sylvia Gomez on September 1, 1963 in San Benito, Texas. Mr. Ernesto L. De Leon worked for the United States Soil Conservation and Texas Department of Agriculture. Significantly, he was elected as a Brownsville City Commissioner for two terms from 2001 and 2003.

Preceding Ernesto in death were his parents, Ramon and Amelia De Leon; his brother, Ramon De Leon; his sister, Nora De Leon Ramirez; and his son, Donald Ramon De Leon.

Ernesto is survived by his wife of fifty-nine years, Sylvia Gomez; his two sons, Ernest R. De Leon (Victoria Chazco) De Leon and Gustavo M. De Leon (Cristina Garza) De Leon; his two daughters, Sylvia A. De Leon, PhD. (Ricardo) Solis EdD. and Sandra M. De Leon; and by his four grandchildren: Alicia S. Shears-Ellul, Austin Ramon Barnard, Donald Ernesto De Leon, and Victoria De Leon.

Visiting hours will be held on Monday, the 6th of June 2022 between the hours of five o’clock in the afternoon and eight o’clock at night at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 1914 Barnard Road, Brownsville, with the recitation of the holy rosary to begin at six o’clock Monday evening within the church.

The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at ten o’clock in the morning on Tuesday, the 7th of June 2022 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. All attendees are asked to meet directly at the church. Interment will then follow, via an escorted procession, at Buena Vista Burial Park, 5 McDavitt Boulevard, Brownsville.

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

Personalized funeral arrangements directed by Steven R. Hieu Bailey and Staff have been entrusted to the care of Darling-Mouser Funeral Home at 945 Palm Boulevard in Brownsville, Texas 78520, (956) 546-7111.