Ernest F. Serrato

Ernest Serrato passed away on February 11, 2022 surrounded by loved ones in the comfort of his home in Canyon Lake, Texas. He was born on March 27, 1960 in San Antonio, Texas inside his childhood home to Ygnacio and Eva Serrato.

Ernest is greeted in Heaven by his father Ygnacio H. Serrato and nephew Patrick Michael Linehan, along with many other family members and friends.

He leaves behind to cherish his memories his wife, Tiana Serrato; mother, Eva Serrato; daughters, Christine Serrato and Deborah Serrato; son in law George Martinez; grandchildren Amery Segovia, Gianni Segovia, Kacin Segovia, Eli Martinez, Aria Martinez and Eisley Martinez; his siblings and their spouses, Richard (Dora) Serrato, Rosemary (Inocencio) Sanchez, Beatrice (Richard) Gunderman, and Albert (Christopher Mainelli) Serrato; along with twenty-four nephews and nieces who he adored and cherished.

Ernest graduated from Harlandale High School where he excelled across the entire spectrum of school activities. He lettered in both football and baseball and was a member of the National Honor Society.

After graduating high school, Ernest F. Serrato enlisted into the United States Air force July 22, 1978. Upon Completion of Basic Military Training, he reported directly to Luke AFB, Arizona and the 310th Tactical Fighter Squadron (TFTS), as an Air Force Operations Resource Management Specialist. After three years of dedicated service, he volunteered and was accepted for special duty as a Basic Military Training Squadron (BMTS) at Lackland AFB. A distinguished graduate from the MTI instructor school, he quickly excelled as an MTI. After fulfilling his tour of duty, he returned to his primary Air Force specialty, Operations Resource Management Specialist. In 1984, he was assigned to McDill AFB, Florida and the 61st TFTS, first as NCOIC of Operations, then as NCOIC of current Operations for the 56th Flying Training Wing.

In 1987, Sergeant Serrato re-applied and was accepted for his second tour as an MTI, reporting to the 3702nd BMTS at Lackland AFB, TX. When that squadron closed in 1988, he was reassigned to the 3701st BMTS, where he excelled as a Master Military Training Instructor. During this time, he was awarded the Blue Rope of the year. Which signifies the top 10 percent of Master MTI corps. In 1989, he was selected to be NCOIC and later Superintendent of the Air Force Military Training Center's Protocol office.

Ultimately, he was selected for First Sergeant Duty in late 1994. He had served in that position with the 37th Service Squadron and Mission Support Squadron, 621st Air Control Squadron in South Korea, then the 37th Supply Squadron. He was then promoted to his final rank Senior Master Sergeant on February 14, 2000.

Sergeant Serrato is a distinguished graduate of the NCO Leadership School, AETC NCO Academy, USAF Senior Academy, and the USAF First Sergeant Academy. His military awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters, AF Commendation Medal with three oak leaf clusters, Air Force Achievement Medal, Good Conduct Medal with seven oak leaf clusters, and the National Defense Service Medal with bronze star. He was selected as First Sergeant of the year in 1996, 1997, and 2001. He was also selected as the 2001 Air Education and Training Command First Sergeant and Airman of the Year.

Senior Master Sergeant Ernest F. Serrato, First Sergeant for the 59th Medical Operations Group, finally officially retired January 1, 2003, with 24 years of dedicated service to our Nation.

During his military career, Ernest received three Community College of the Air Force degrees in Information System Management, Instructor of Technology and Military Sciences, and Personnel Administration. Continuing his personal quest for knowledge, he went on to obtain a Bachelor of Science degree in Management and Health Care from Park College and a dual Master’s degree in Human Resources Development and Health Services Management from Webster University.

After retiring from the United States Air Force, Ernie joined DPT Laboratories where he worked from 2002 to 2022. He started out as an HR Generalist and quickly moved up to HR Manager and would eventually become the Senior Director of HR. He was a leader in this field and became a role model for core values within his team. In 2007, he was elected as a speaker for the Best 100 Hispanic Role Models where he spoke to lower income students about working to obtain goals, accepting help, and working hard.

Throughout Ernest’s busy military career he did manage to pick up some hobbies along the way including playing golf, poker, football, racket ball, and basketball. He also enjoyed fishing, watching movies and listening to his favorite songs. Family was important to him as well and he enjoyed going on vacations with them, having celebrations and entertaining friends and family. He was also a member of the Lymphoma and Leukemia Cancer Society and worked with the Fiesta Commission with El Rey Feo from 1997-1999. Ernest was honored by Mr. Pete R. Martinez, El Rey Feo for Fiesta 1999, for his time, effort, and support of the community. Ernest was also on the board of directors and treasure for the Texas Workforce solutions in San Antonio for 2 years. Some of the other organizations that Ernest played an active role in include the Society for HR Management (SHRM), Unicorn Center, Boy Scouts of America, and Kid Fish.

Ernest was dedicated, selfless and committed to his family, friends, co- workers, and jobs. He inspired people to better themselves every day. He had a way of showing people how much of a difference they could make or do in this world. He was very charismatic and engaging wherever he went; people were drawn to him, always respectful and polite. He always gave when he could and kept moving forward.

He had a knack for making people feel at ease. He'd joke around and make people laugh which made everyone feel happy around him. Ernie was a natural born leader, people would always look to him for advice and mentorship. He loved to look out for others and help them through any situations they may have had. He was always available for anyone who wanted to talk or needed anything. He was very honest, straightforward, and trustworthy; you always felt safe with him.

Ernie will be remembered for the love he had for his family, and the fact that nothing came before them. He made you feel loved. He would always want you to be involved in whatever it was that he was doing, or what his family was doing. As competitive as he was, he made it fun for everyone, from an egg toss, three-legged race, poker, hitting a piñata, or a round of golf, he made it to where you so badly wanted to win and beat him, but laughed through the entire thing enjoying yourself.

Ernie left the world better than he found it; he never has lacked appreciation of the Earth's beauty or failed to express it; he looked for the best in others and gave the best he had all the time.

He would want everyone to know to take opportunities that better yourself. Always express to people how much you value them. That people are basically good; that honor, courage and virtue mean everything. That money and power mean nothing; and that good always triumphs over evil, and that true love never dies.

A celebration of life for Ernest will be held Thursday, March 10, 2022 from 12:30 PM to 2:00 PM at Sunset North Funeral Home, 910 N Loop 1604 E., San Antonio, Texas 78232. For those of you who would like to join via livestream, the link will be available under Services as "Join Livestream", please note that the link will not be active until the service start time at 12:30 PM.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.SunsetNorthFuneralHome.com for the Serrato family.