Ernest “Ernie” DeLaura, 86, passed away on April 12, 2018 in Mesa, AZ. He was a veteran of the Korean War and retired Air Force. He was awarded the Bronze Service Star for his service in the Korean War and also awarded the Good Conduct Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, and the National Defense Service Medal. Ernie loved his country and serving in the military.
Ernie was born on February 12, 1932 in Jersey City, NJ. He grew up in Manhattan and Brooklyn. He was the youngest of five children. In 1951 he joined the Air Force and retired in 1972. Ernie was stationed in South Korea during the Korean War, Okinawa, Altus OK, Great Falls MT and Cheyenne WY. He also
worked for various companies after his air force retirement, including Boeing, Martin Marietta and worked on the space shuttle at Cape Canaveral FL.
In 1954, Ernie married Sally Hironaka in Sacramento CA. His beloved wife passed away before him on May 12, 2013 on Mother’s Day. He deeply missed her and looked forward to the day he would see her in Heaven. One of the most memorable times of his life was taking Sally to Iwakuni Japan to meet her oldest brother for the first time, as well as his family.
Ernie enjoyed deer & elk hunting, bird hunting and fishing. He taught his sons how to hunt and fish, as he loved the outdoors. But bird hunting was his favorite. He took his family on camping adventures, to Mount Rushmore, to the 1964 New York World’s Fair, to Glacier National Park, to Yellowstone National Park, to Busch Gardens, Epcot Center and other places to explore and enjoy. His family is grateful for spending time with them traveling, especially when he drilled his children on history questions on long car travels, teaching them new things, telling them he loved them, and telling them how much he appreciated them helping him in his old age.
Ernie is survived by his daughter, Cheryl DeLaura Dixon (Joshua) of Leander TX, his sons Daniel DeLaura of Denver CO, Bryan DeLaura (Candy) of Pueblo West CO, Gary DeLaura of Gilbert AZ and Chad DeLaura (Gina) of Mesa AZ; eight grandchildren, Alexander Dixon, Michael Dixon, Taylor DeLaura, Brenden DeLaura, Tyra DeLaura, Darien DeLaura, Chad DeLaura and Ashlee DeLaura Bradford; Nine great-grandchildren, Ethan, Wesley, Samuel, Emery, Aspen, Audree, Ava, Alaina and William.
Ernie was preceded in death by his parents Ernest Sr. and Teresa DeLaura, two brothers James “Jim” DeLaura and Nicolas “Nick” DeLaura, and sister Marie Sodero. Ernie is survived by his dear and loving sister, Stella Librie of Orlando FL. She was able to visit her little brother for his 86th birthday, 2 months before he passed away.
Ernie and Sally’s ashes will be inurned at the Sacramento Valley National Cemetery in Dixon CA. In Ernie’s honor, a memorial with military honors by the Travis Air Force Base Honor Guard will take place in the early part of October 2018. Please check back as the future date will be announced.
Dad, you are with God, Jesus, the angels, Mom, your family and friends. How happy you must be! Your trials are over. We will remember all the good times we had together. We will see you again, in Heaven, and what a glorious day it will be!
PSALM 139:16
“…all the days ordained for me were written in your book before
one of them came to be.”
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