Ernest Cortez was born in Flagstaff Arizona on August 12, 1951. He passed away on December 8th, 2015, at the age of 64. Ernie had lived in Williams Arizona for the last ten years following retiring from the New Orleans police department. After surviving his house being flooded by Hurricane Katrina, he decided to retire and live a more quiet and peaceful life, so he returned back to his roots in Williams, where his Mom's family, the Gonzalez's, who owned the Pine Crest Ranch and dairy, had all grown up.
Ernie served in the U.S. Army from November 1969 to November 1972. He served in the Vietnam War as a paratrooper with 173rd Airborne Brigade Sky Soldiers. Ernie received the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal, an Air Medal, a Combat Infantry Badge, and the Expert Award for rifle. After also serving in Germany, he received an honorable discharge from the Army. He began his career as a police officer in Pocahontas, Virginia, and then became a police officer with the New Orleans Police Department, where he served for over 20 years. He was very proud to be a police officer and remained active in the Police Officer Association. Ernie was also active in the Williams American Legion #13.
Ernie was deeply loved by his family, and had a nickname of "King Jelly Head" that his nieces gave to him. Growing up his Mom and brothers called him Guero, because of his lighter skin tone. Ernie could always make everyone smile and was typically the chief antagonist at family gatherings. He was very kind and compassionate, and always looked out for his family. Ernie could be ornery at times, but always made and kept peace with his family and friends. Ernie gave us so many good laughs, particularly when he was with his best friend in life, who happened to be his brother Tommy Cortez. They were always double trouble. Ernie loved his little CeCe, his Chihuahua dog that he named after his Mom, Cecelia. He would take her everywhere with him, and CeCe enjoyed many trips to California to visit his family. Ernie loved football and always rooted for the New Orleans Saints. He had season tickets when he lived in New Orleans, and often worked police detail at the games. Thanksgiving and Christmas will never be the same without him. Ernie was a very special man.
Ernie was preceded in death by his mother, Cecelia, who passed away on December 30, 2011. Ernie is survived by his daughter Madison, his brothers and sisters Joe Cortez Jr., Tommy Cortez, Neva Serrano, Tony Rodriguez, Alan Crutchfield, Joe Angel Cortez, Lynda Flores, Rudy Cortez, and his father, Joseph Cortez, Sr. Ernie also had many nieces and nephews, including Chris, Robert, Megan Hannah, Rebekah, Nick, Elyssa, Chloe, Paul, Loren, Amelie and Anthony Mateo. Ernie had many friends, and he never knew a stranger when he was out and about.
There will be a Holy Rosary on Thursday, December 17th at 6:30 p.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Williams, Arizona. Ernie's life will be celebrated with a funeral mass on December 18th at 11:00 a.m., with burial to follow at the Williams Cemetery. There will also be a reception at the American Legion in Williams. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Lozano's Flagstaff Mortuary, www.FlagstaffMortuary.com.
Ernie served in the U.S. Army from November 1969 to November 1972. He served in the Vietnam War as a paratrooper with 173rd Airborne Brigade Sky Soldiers. Ernie received the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal, an Air Medal, a Combat Infantry Badge, and the Expert Award for rifle. After also serving in Germany, he received an honorable discharge from the Army. He began his career as a police officer in Pocahontas, Virginia, and then became a police officer with the New Orleans Police Department, where he served for over 20 years. He was very proud to be a police officer and remained active in the Police Officer Association. Ernie was also active in the Williams American Legion #13.
Ernie was deeply loved by his family, and had a nickname of "King Jelly Head" that his nieces gave to him. Growing up his Mom and brothers called him Guero, because of his lighter skin tone. Ernie could always make everyone smile and was typically the chief antagonist at family gatherings. He was very kind and compassionate, and always looked out for his family. Ernie could be ornery at times, but always made and kept peace with his family and friends. Ernie gave us so many good laughs, particularly when he was with his best friend in life, who happened to be his brother Tommy Cortez. They were always double trouble. Ernie loved his little CeCe, his Chihuahua dog that he named after his Mom, Cecelia. He would take her everywhere with him, and CeCe enjoyed many trips to California to visit his family. Ernie loved football and always rooted for the New Orleans Saints. He had season tickets when he lived in New Orleans, and often worked police detail at the games. Thanksgiving and Christmas will never be the same without him. Ernie was a very special man.
Ernie was preceded in death by his mother, Cecelia, who passed away on December 30, 2011. Ernie is survived by his daughter Madison, his brothers and sisters Joe Cortez Jr., Tommy Cortez, Neva Serrano, Tony Rodriguez, Alan Crutchfield, Joe Angel Cortez, Lynda Flores, Rudy Cortez, and his father, Joseph Cortez, Sr. Ernie also had many nieces and nephews, including Chris, Robert, Megan Hannah, Rebekah, Nick, Elyssa, Chloe, Paul, Loren, Amelie and Anthony Mateo. Ernie had many friends, and he never knew a stranger when he was out and about.
There will be a Holy Rosary on Thursday, December 17th at 6:30 p.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Williams, Arizona. Ernie's life will be celebrated with a funeral mass on December 18th at 11:00 a.m., with burial to follow at the Williams Cemetery. There will also be a reception at the American Legion in Williams. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Lozano's Flagstaff Mortuary, www.FlagstaffMortuary.com.
Ernest Cortez was born in Flagstaff Arizona on August 12, 1951. He passed away on December 8th, 2015, at the age of 64. Ernie had lived in Williams Arizona for the last ten years following retiring from the New Orleans police department. After surviving his house being flooded by Hurricane Katrina, he decided to retire and live a more quiet and peaceful life, so he returned back to his roots in Williams, where his Mom's family, the Gonzalez's, who owned the Pine Crest Ranch and dairy, had all grown up.
Ernie served in the U.S. Army from November 1969 to November 1972. He served in the Vietnam War as a paratrooper with 173rd Airborne Brigade Sky Soldiers. Ernie received the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal, an Air Medal, a Combat Infantry Badge, and the Expert Award for rifle. After also serving in Germany, he received an honorable discharge from the Army. He began his career as a police officer in Pocahontas, Virginia, and then became a police officer with the New Orleans Police Department, where he served for over 20 years. He was very proud to be a police officer and remained active in the Police Officer Association. Ernie was also active in the Williams American Legion #13.
Ernie was deeply loved by his family, and had a nickname of "King Jelly Head" that his nieces gave to him. Growing up his Mom and brothers called him Guero, because of his lighter skin tone. Ernie could always make everyone smile and was typically the chief antagonist at family gatherings. He was very kind and compassionate, and always looked out for his family. Ernie could be ornery at times, but always made and kept peace with his family and friends. Ernie gave us so many good laughs, particularly when he was with his best friend in life, who happened to be his brother Tommy Cortez. They were always double trouble. Ernie loved his little CeCe, his Chihuahua dog that he named after his Mom, Cecelia. He would take her everywhere with him, and CeCe enjoyed many trips to California to visit his family. Ernie loved football and always rooted for the New Orleans Saints. He had season tickets when he lived in New Orleans, and often worked police detail at the games. Thanksgiving and Christmas will never be the same without him. Ernie was a very special man.
Ernie was preceded in death by his mother, Cecelia, who passed away on December 30, 2011. Ernie is survived by his daughter Madison, his brothers and sisters Joe Cortez Jr., Tommy Cortez, Neva Serrano, Tony Rodriguez, Alan Crutchfield, Joe Angel Cortez, Lynda Flores, Rudy Cortez, and his father, Joseph Cortez, Sr. Ernie also had many nieces and nephews, including Chris, Robert, Megan Hannah, Rebekah, Nick, Elyssa, Chloe, Paul, Loren, Amelie and Anthony Mateo. Ernie had many friends, and he never knew a stranger when he was out and about.
There will be a Holy Rosary on Thursday, December 17th at 6:30 p.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Williams, Arizona. Ernie's life will be celebrated with a funeral mass on December 18th at 11:00 a.m., with burial to follow at the Williams Cemetery. There will also be a reception at the American Legion in Williams. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Lozano's Flagstaff Mortuary, www.FlagstaffMortuary.com.
Ernie served in the U.S. Army from November 1969 to November 1972. He served in the Vietnam War as a paratrooper with 173rd Airborne Brigade Sky Soldiers. Ernie received the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal, an Air Medal, a Combat Infantry Badge, and the Expert Award for rifle. After also serving in Germany, he received an honorable discharge from the Army. He began his career as a police officer in Pocahontas, Virginia, and then became a police officer with the New Orleans Police Department, where he served for over 20 years. He was very proud to be a police officer and remained active in the Police Officer Association. Ernie was also active in the Williams American Legion #13.
Ernie was deeply loved by his family, and had a nickname of "King Jelly Head" that his nieces gave to him. Growing up his Mom and brothers called him Guero, because of his lighter skin tone. Ernie could always make everyone smile and was typically the chief antagonist at family gatherings. He was very kind and compassionate, and always looked out for his family. Ernie could be ornery at times, but always made and kept peace with his family and friends. Ernie gave us so many good laughs, particularly when he was with his best friend in life, who happened to be his brother Tommy Cortez. They were always double trouble. Ernie loved his little CeCe, his Chihuahua dog that he named after his Mom, Cecelia. He would take her everywhere with him, and CeCe enjoyed many trips to California to visit his family. Ernie loved football and always rooted for the New Orleans Saints. He had season tickets when he lived in New Orleans, and often worked police detail at the games. Thanksgiving and Christmas will never be the same without him. Ernie was a very special man.
Ernie was preceded in death by his mother, Cecelia, who passed away on December 30, 2011. Ernie is survived by his daughter Madison, his brothers and sisters Joe Cortez Jr., Tommy Cortez, Neva Serrano, Tony Rodriguez, Alan Crutchfield, Joe Angel Cortez, Lynda Flores, Rudy Cortez, and his father, Joseph Cortez, Sr. Ernie also had many nieces and nephews, including Chris, Robert, Megan Hannah, Rebekah, Nick, Elyssa, Chloe, Paul, Loren, Amelie and Anthony Mateo. Ernie had many friends, and he never knew a stranger when he was out and about.
There will be a Holy Rosary on Thursday, December 17th at 6:30 p.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Williams, Arizona. Ernie's life will be celebrated with a funeral mass on December 18th at 11:00 a.m., with burial to follow at the Williams Cemetery. There will also be a reception at the American Legion in Williams. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Lozano's Flagstaff Mortuary, www.FlagstaffMortuary.com.
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