Ernest "Ernie" Aycock

Ernest was born in Roswell, New Mexico on November 26, 1951, to an Air Force family, son of Julius “Jake” Aycock and Peggy Jean Aycock. He enjoyed living in Japan and various stateside locations and followed in his father’s footsteps, joining the military in 1972.

Ernest enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1972 and served as a Blue Water Marine on various Navy vessels in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia. Ernest was part of a Marine Corps security detachment during the evacuation of Vietnam and was on the SS American Challenger.

Following Vietnam Ernie remained in the Marine Corps and was stationed in Okinawa, Japan when he graduated from Kubasaki High School in 1976. Ernest was stationed in various stateside locations, always returning to his favorite, Okinawa, Japan. He traveled to Japan, Korea, the Philippines as part of his assignments as Motor Transport Chief and later Base Safety. He was proud to be a Shellback and did many sea deployments. Ernest retired from the U.S. Marine Corps after serving 21 ½ years in 1993 at the rank of GySgt.

Ernie returned home to Austin, Texas where he entered federal civil service in 1995 as DOD Police, Bergstrom Air Force Base in 1995. There he met his co-worker and future wife Dee in 1996. He married his wife Dee in 2000 and moved to Key West, Florida and worked for the Navy. Ernest supported Dee in her military career and civilian law enforcement career moving several times. He worked nine years at the International Water & Boundary Commision at Amistad Dam in Del Rio, Texas. Ernie retired from federal civil service in 2016. He was honored to work his last assignment with the National Park Service rangers at the USS Arizona Memorial in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

Ernie was a third-degree black belt in Japanese Ju-Jitsu, loved scuba diving, diving in Okinawa, muscle cars, classic vans and motorcycle riding was his passion. He loved being part of the car and motorcycle club in Del Rio, Texas and enjoyed fishing at Amistad Lake. He had both his parent's sense of humor and had a green thumb for plants like his Mom Peggy Jean and mother in-law Olivia. He had a spirited personality and genuine smile that helped him navigate life and battled on as lifelong Dallas Cowboys fan.

Ernie is survived by his loving wife of 25 years, Dee Cavazos-Aycock, his daughter Christine Kanna Hernandez and her spouse Ozzie Hernandez, grandchildren; Samantha Kirby and her spouse Gabriel, Izaiah Hernandez, and Faith Hernandez. Great grandchildren Alezandra, Penelope, and Kanna. Ernie’s sister Kay Storch and her children Jennifer and JC. Sister Patricia McBee and her children Christopher and Lindsey. Sister Kelly Cole and his brother Michael Cole. U.S. Marine Corps brothers GySgt Harold D. Davis, MGySgt John Moshier, and Captain Santos Cavazos III. Erin L. Oda and Aya Oda, and in-laws of the Cavazos family; Olivia Cavazos, Teresa E. Cavazos, Aileen Cavazos-Pfister and spouse Robert Pfister, Santos Cavazos III and Nephew Javier A. Cavazos.

Ernie was preceded in death by his father Julius Powell Aycock, Mother Peggy Jean Arthur, stepmother Ryoko Aycock, father-in-law Santos Cavazos Jr., friend and brother-in-law Terry Mcbee and niece Michele.

Funeral services will be held September 12, 2025, at the Sunset Funeral Home 1701 Austin Hwy in San Antonio, Texas time to be determined and military burial with honors will follow at the Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery.

Ernie is dearly loved and will be truly missed. He had a big heart for animals and helped rescue many big and small animals including; birds, cats, dogs, snakes, goats, racoons, a tiger cub, a dolphin, and a bear. Please consider a donation to an animal shelter or rescue organization in lieu of flowers.