Ernesto Elizondo

Neto is survived by his beloved 2 children, Ginny Elizondo-Horn whom he affectionately called Sugar and her husband David Horn; Ernest Elizondo Jr. and his wife Anna.

His grandchildren are Destiny Barrera-Barnes (Marcus), Desiree Barrera-Smith (Greg), Ernest Joel Elizondo and Alyssa Elizondo, David Horn Jr. (Andria), Dawn Horn Oliver (Jerry) and Brandon Horn.

His great daughter is Gianna Marie Smith.

He was a member of St. Benedict’s Catholic Church where he was active in coaching his son’s baseball team.

He retired from the US Army as a Combat Medic after 20 years as an E-7. He was awarded numerous medals throughout his career to include the Bronze Star Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Vietnam Campaign and Service Medal, Korean Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal for Korea, National Defense Service Medal, Combat Medical Badge, Vocational Nurses with honors, Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Training, Overseas Bar for his 2 tours in Saigon and Nha Trang Vietnam. He was stationed at Bamberg, Germany where his son was born in Heidelberg and finally retired at Fort Sam Houston, Brook Army General Hospital.

Neto enjoyed a good game of golf and was a Member of Pan American Golf Association, where he won many awards. While his daughter and granddaughters were in Hawaii, he arrived with his golf clubs to play at O’Ahu in Waikiki and Mauna Lani Golf Club.

He loved going to see the Spurs play with his daughter and granddaughters and loved to watch Manu in action. He also loved the Dallas Cowboys.

He loved mariachi music and his family made sure he had them every year for his birthday. His favorite songs were “El Rey,” “Volver, Volver,” “Usted,” “La Negra” to name a few …..

Neto was also a Shriner and very active with the Alzafar Shrine and driving his little gold cart at many Fiesta Parades and very generous by taking his granddaughters class to the Shrine Circus.

He was very proud of his children and grandchildren and enjoyed taking them across the border to Matamores, Mexico, where we would go to “Garcia’s,” a nightclub/restaurant and a little shopping.

He was very proud of his service in the US Army and always told us, “Freedom is Not Free” along with his other little sayings to us, “Slow Down and Stop to Smell the Roses” and when we asked how he was doing he always said “I’m Alive” with a smile.

The family wishes to thank Frank Tejeda Veterans Home in Floresville for the excellent and quality of care by nurses and staff. Dad was also so funny and full of life and will be missed by many.

In lieu of flowers, the family would like to ask for a donation to Alzheimer’s Association San Antonio & South Texas Chapter.