This was Ernie and mamita’s nightly routine for many years. Ruben just happened to get a video of this one of the nights in our house in Pflugerville TX.  It’s a special memory I wanted to share with you.

Many fond memories with the Gonzales family especially, Ernie calling me "DarDar" with his big smile. Ernie, I will always treasure this memory. Rest in Peace.  
Sylvia Moreno-Rivera

He loved “Gingahhh!” from Gilligan’s Island.

With my sister Lupe.  Notice the dimples on Ernie..

This is from the early 90s . My father in Laughlin NV.

Me with two of my brothers Richard and Ernie at Monte’s La Casa Vieja in Tempe.

With Lydia and Lupe (my sisters) and my brothers in law David and Chelo.

That was a good day!  He beat all of us at bowling!

With mom and Ernie at a Spring training baseball game.

Ernie was really popular at Lisa's (Irma’s niece) high school graduation party. One of Irma’s cousins resembles Tony Romo.  Ernie told him,   “I know you’re the fake Tony Romo!”

This is one going a while back. Ernie is on the left of my mom.

Ernie loved getting haircuts and especially loved it when I gave him the Kojac cut (bald).

With Cousins Steven, Ross Jr., Alfonso and me.

This was after cousin Joe died; Ernie noticed his name on the license plate.

We recreated the “penguino pose” featured in Barrio Walk at the Barnes & Noble book signing.

Ernie loved my Brown Bro. Felipe Reynoso next to him. Richard, my brother also in pic with me.

Ernie was doing some book promotion - I hope he learns to play the guitar in Heaven.

Ernie with Bestest Dianna, Mom, Tia Tillie and me.

With Willie Aguila Jr. at Old School City.

In the old neighborhood - Across the street from where the MIGHTY Jackson Elementary School once stood.

With cousin Martin on left,  and  my siblings Lydia, Richard, Lupe and Mr. P a.k.a the big Kahuna

With two of my favorite people ever. My great niece Ruby (she is now 15)

With his Nino Ernest Quiroz, who Ernie was named after.

He signed a couple of books that day on the page with his picture.

We called each other many nicknames throughout our lives.  The last time I saw him on Easter, he was in bed I told him, “The next time I see you will be Heaven!”

I told him, “Always remember, you’re not Mr. P - I am!  He had a big smile with his one remaining tooth.  I also asked him, “Did you remember to to brush your tooth, I mean Teeth? He laughed and wiggled it.

I rejoice because One of the beautiful truths for my brother is that Down syndrome was part of his earthly journey, not his eternal destiny.

The limitations that affected him here on earth will not follow him there.

Just as a blind believer will see, a crippled believer will walk, and a deaf believer will hear, Ernie now experiences the fullness of what God intended for him.

Ernie asked me about Jesus and I explained to him about Jesus. We prayed and He understood He was going to Heaven and placed his faith in Jesus. 

On the day he passed, he simply stepped from faith into sight, from promise into fulfillment, from hearing about Heaven into seeing it.

What a beautiful comfort that is: for the believer, death is not the beginning of eternity—it is the continuation of a life that Christ already started.  “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live.” (John 11:25)

Bye Skipper, I’ll see you soon!

He loved to go shopping with us because he was able to choose his treats.

He loved our menudo breakfast and hanging around with Richard Quiroz and Robert Robles

My heart felt condolences to my cousins in Arizona  and may my primo Ernie thanks for the memories when when you came and visited  us in Los Angeles ,until we meet again say hello to my mom and dad also my tio and Tia up there.🙌🙏

From Down Syndrome to God’s Kingdom

This tribute is to honor my baby brother, Ernie who passed away on May 22, 2026.

For 63 years, Ernie taught us lessons that many people spend their entire lives trying to learn. Though he was born with Down Syndrome, he never allowed his limitations to define him. Instead, he used every ounce of strength, joy, humor, and love that God gave him.

Ernie showed us how to love.  He showed us how to persevere.  And he showed us how to overcome.

The world may have looked at my brother and seen disability, but those of us who knew him saw determination, loyalty, innocence, courage, and a heart bigger than most people could ever imagine.

Ernie had crossed eyes, difficulty speaking, and challenges understanding certain things. Yet somehow, he often understood the things that mattered most far better than the rest of us — love, family, laughter, and faith.

And now, as hard as this tribute moment is, I find peace in knowing what awaited him. 
For the first time in eternity, my brother was able to see fully. 
No more crossed eyes.   No more confusion.
No more pain.    No more tears.   Only joy.

The Bible tells us in Heaven we will be made whole, and I believe with all my heart that Ernie has experienced fullness in a way he never has before. He was finally be able to comprehend completely and express himself perfectly. The thoughts he struggled to say on earth now flow freely in the presence of God.

And what a reunion awaited him. Mom and dad were there, eagerly waiting for their son. I can almost picture them embracing him while the rest of Heaven and other loved ones rejoiced.

But more than anything else… Ernie has seen Jesus. There is no darkness in Heaven because “The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp.”  Revelation‬ ‭21‬:‭23‬ ‭

He went from Down syndrome to God’s Kingdom. Rest in Peace! I can almost hear him now saying, “Luben,  Heaven is real!”

OBITUARY

Ernie C. Gonzales

December 15, 1962 – May 22, 2026

Funeraria del Angel Greer-Wilson Chapel

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