Ernest Garcia Figueroa's Obituary
Ernest Garcia Figueroa, though most of us knew him simply as Ernie. Born on October 26, 1962, in Brownfield, Texas, to Emanuel Trevino Figueroa Jr. and Elena Garcia Salcido, Ernest was a man whose heart was as big as the outdoors that he loved so much.
Ernest's greatest legacy remains his family. He is survived by his children: daughters Brandy Lynette Martinez and husband Ashley Edmonds, Brittini Fernandez and husband Chuck, and his son Tyler Figueroa and wife KaSandra. His light continues to shine through his seven beloved grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister, Elida Figueroa-Gonzales and Arthur, and his brothers, Edward Figueroa and Emanuel Figueroa III and wife Adelia. Ernest now rests in eternal peace, joining those who preceded him in death, including father Emanuel Trevino Figueroa and brother Ray Garcia Herrera.
Today we pay tribute to Ernest Figueroa, though most of us knew him simply as Ernie. He was a man whose heart was as big as the outdoors that he loved so much. To know Ernest was to koe a man of immense kindness, a person who moved through this world with a gentleness that was rare to find. While we are here today under the shadow of a tragedy that that still feels heavy and unresolved, we choose to shine a light on the life he lived.
Ernest was a man who, above all else, simply wanted to be loved. He possessed a kind of selflessness that is hard to put into words. He was the type of person who would have sold everything he owned if he thought it would help someone else in perhaps to a fault. He trusted easily and loved deeply, and while the world wasn’t always as kind to him as he was to it, he never let that harden his spirit. He remained gentle, even in his loneliest moments.
When Ernest wasn’t looking out for others, he was most likely enjoying one of his favorite hobbies. Ernest was a true outdoorsman who felt most at home under the open sky. He loved the patience and the stillness of hunting and fishing. For Ernest, being out in the woods wasn’t just a hobby, it was where he connected with the world. He was a skilled hunter who respected the land and the animals, finding a special kind of peace in the quiet of the morning air. He also has a love for his collections and a keen eye. Whether it a firearm, Ernest was a master of his craft. He was a phenomenal shot if he had a target in his sights, you could bet he’d hit it spot on, every single time.
Ernest lived life in his own way. We all knew him as a bit of a collector, or a hoarder of thing, perhaps, but more than that, he was a collector of hope. He held onto things and people because he saw value where others might not. He was a man who deserved the very best, and though he struggled with loneliness, he was never truly alone because he had the love of his family.
Ernest, we will miss your gentle presence and your selfless soul. As we continue to seek the justice you deserve, we promise to carry your kindness and faith forward. Wooded trail, a quiet lake or feel a gentle breeze. You were loved by us all, you are still loved, and now you are safe in the arms of the Lord. You will never be forgotten.
Rest in peace, Ernest.
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