Ernesto Elefante

Ernesto “Ernie” Elefante passed away Sunday morning, October 13,2013; he was 86. He was born in Baguio City, Philippines, on April 8, 1927. He joined the United States Navy in 1946, serving honorably for 22 years retiring with the rank of Chief Petty officer. He served aboard the U.S.S. Enterprise,(CVAN-65) as a member of the first crew, on her maiden voyage as part of the first nuclear task force, circumnavigating the globe, and received the following decorations: the Vietnam Service medal w/Bronze star, Armed Forces Expeditionary medal, Vietnam Campaign medal, the National Defense Service medal. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather (Lolo) and friend his family, their happiness and well-being were most important. He is preceded in death by his parents, Buenanentura and Dorotea Elefante, his sister, Lourdes E. Marrero, and his brother, Bienvenido Elefante. Ernesto is survived by his wife of 60 years, San Juanita Elefante, his four children, Luis Ernesto (Sherri) Elefante, Portland, TX; Juan Humberto (Sandy) Elefante, Madison, AL;M. Patricia Winston, Corpus Christi, TX; Michele (Deborah) Elefante, Sacramento,CA. Seven grandchildren, Jamie Lynn Elefante, Cecil Mester, Julie Ann (Johnny)Winston-Gomez, Capt. Robert J. Winston, USAF, Jessica Mari Beshears, Elishia Michele Beshears, Joshua Winston, and two great-grandchildren, Michael Anthony Elefante, and Jade McAnelly. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, Oct 15, 2013 at Memory Gardens Funeral Home from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm with the holy rosary being recited at 7:00pm. Visitation will continue on Wednesday, Oct 16, 2013 at 11:30 am at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church with a funeral mass to follow at 12:30 pm. Interment to follow at Coastal Bend State Veterans Cemetery.