Ernest Stackhouse

March 30, 1966 - July 12, 2014

Surely the presence of the Lord is in this place.

Prayer

God, Father and Creator of all there is, we welcome thy presence with us today to help us to know that love never ends. When all else fails, to know we are not alone ; we pray for one another in our hour of need; and for all of those who mourn with us this day who could not attend this service; to those who doubt, give light; to those who are weak, strength; to all who grieve, peace. Amen

Family and friends, we have gathered here to celebrate the life of Ernest Stackhouse. We come together acknowledging our human loss. We have shared the life of Ernest and we join together to be closer to one another and to give thanks for the release of pain, and the peace and joy which Ernest has found at last. Ernest had many talents. As a teenager he taught himself to play the trumpet and was in the Deerfield Beach High School jazz band. He loved to cook and had been a chef at many local restaurants in his 20s. He had a wicked sense of humor. He taught himself to play acoustic guitar and would be included in sessions with friends for an evening of music, singing and good conversations. He enjoyed singing and made his family CDs for them playing guitar and singing songs that had meaning to him. He was always interested in physical fitness and started working out at age 14. He studied martial arts, earning a black belt in Karate and Judo. Around 14 years ago he earned his physical fitness certification and took a course in nutrition in which he continued to study on his own. He became a master personal trainer to those who truly wanted to better their lives through proper nutrition and physical fitness. When he was diagnosed with colon cancer four years ago he chose the treatments and process he would accept under his own terms. He continued to work as long as he could throughout his illness and even on his days of having a chemo treatment he would go home, rest, have a bite to eat and meet a client that evening. He worked until he just did not have the energy any longer.

Arrangements under the direction of Forest Lawn Funeral Home, Pompano Beach, FL.