Ernesto "Ernie" de Leon

It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of Ernie de Leon, beloved Dado, husband, and healthcare provider.

He peacefully joined his loved ones in heaven on Thursday, July 2nd, surrounded by family and friends. Ernie was born to Juan Gilberto de Leon Sr. and Alicia Carmen Quiz de Leon on November 30, 1962 in Austin, Texas. His family moved to McAllen when he was 2 years old. Ernie graduated from McAllen High School Class of 1981. He was active in FFA and had great memories of his time raising hogs and running wild with friends.

While working with a security company in the mid 80’s, he was able to see some of his favorite artists like AC/DC, The Rolling Stones, and Metallica perform what would go down as some of the greatest live rock shows in history. It was during this time that he came upon the scene of a terrible motorcycle accident. He stopped to help, but all that he could do was hold the man’s hand and pray with him as he passed. That event shaped Ernie’s future as he decided to become an EMT. He attended Houston Community College and earned his EMT certificate and Special Skills training with Houston Fire & Rescue.

Ernie returned to the Rio Grande Valley and began Paramedic classes taught by Salvador Robles. Sal and many of his classmates became life-long friends and he considered many of them to be family. Over the years, Ernie worked with many ambulance companies, including South Texas Emergency Care (STEC), Catalina Ambulance, Brownsville EMS, Vital Line Ambulance, Aeromedics, and Advanced Cardiac and Trauma (ACT). From EMT to Paramedic, he began his studies that shaped his career and afforded him the opportunities to save so many lives, and inspire others to do the same.

Ernie decided he wanted to become a nurse and was accepted to the ADN program at TSC in 2002. He continued his education through Grand Canyon University to earn his BSN, MSN, and Nurse Practitioner degrees.

He worked in several hospitals as a paramedic and then a nurse/Trauma Coordinator. These hospitals included Rio Grande Regional Hospital, South Texas Health Systems, Valley Baptist Medical Center, Valley Baptist Microhospital, and Harlingen Medical Center. His most treasured role in the hospital was that of Trauma Coordinator at VBMC where he was privileged to work with one of his mentors, Dr. Chollet. He enjoyed working with all of the units associated with trauma including ER, OR, adult and pediatric ICU, and inpatient rehabilitation, and appreciated all the friends he made wherever his work took him.

He was a proud Nurse Practitioner and worked with Emergence Medicine on South Padre Island with another cherished mentor and friend, Dr. R. J. Ybarra.

In 2022, he started working with Valley Cancer Associates and his most recent role was back at SPI working at the urgent care clinic. He opened his own practice, a mobile clinic, in 2023 where he was able to continue treating urgent cases and helping care for those who needed health guidance at any hour of the day or night. He truly cared for his patients and made many life-long friends with them and their families.

In November 1987, while working with STEC on a neonate transfer from Dolly Vinsant, he saw a beautiful blonde ponytail and followed it to his future wife. He met Alyson Hight and they were happily married on December 28, 1991.

Ernie and Alyson were blessed with two beautiful children. Abigayle Yvette was born on July 29, 1999, and Zachary Hunter was born on June 22, 2002.

He was especially proud of his children and told everyone about them. Abigayle became a Naturopathic Doctor in June of 2025 and Zachary will graduate with his nursing degree in October 2026- both heavily inspired by their father’s dedication to lifelong learning and healthcare.

His happiest days were spent with family at the beach or tubing in Texas rivers, surfing, playing with his dogs, or lounging on the couch watching “Ghost Adventures” and eating ice cream. From taking the kids go-carting, bike-riding, or inciting family game nights, his spontaneous nature always led to fun adventures.

He is preceded in death by his parents, paternal grandparents Vicente de Leon, Sr. and Maria del Carmen de Luna de Leon, maternal grandparents, Jesus Quiz and Nieves Ornelas Quiz, brother, Juan Gilberto de Leon Jr., sisters in law, Judy Jennings and Kathy Blankinship, “grandparents” of his children, Oralia and Nolberto Abrego, and Mary Bonner, several aunts and uncles and his beloved fur babies, especially Lady, Tyler, Peanut, Rambo, and Samson.

He leaves behind his wife, Alyson, his children, Abigayle (and her boyfriend, Sean) and Zachary (and his girlfriend, Lauren), his sister Carmen Heston, MC Newland, Janice Speck, and his brother, Jose Guillermo (Sondra) de Leon. He is also survived by his aunt Isabel Quiz, dear friend Lupita Abrego, and numerous beloved nieces and nephews, cousins, and their children. His beloved puppy, Herschel, will miss playing ball with him, and Valentine will miss head scratches from him. His cats, Raid and Monkey, will miss cuddling up with him on the couch, and his goat, Sunshine, will miss hollering at him for treats.

Pallbearers will be Abigayle and Zachary de Leon, David de Leon, Chance Newland, Cameron Christiansen, Hector Ramos, and Arnold Andrade.

Honorary pallbearers are Dr. R. J. Ybarra, Larry Anderson, Jose Guillermo de Leon, Salvador Robles, and Dr. Hillary Chollet.

The family would like to thank all of the people involved in his care, especially Dr. Cerdan, Dr. M. Khan, and Dr. Kotta.

Visitation will be held at Buck Ashcraft Funeral Home in San Benito, Texas, on Wednesday, July 8, from 3:00 pm to 9:00 pm. The funeral service will be held Thursday, July 9, at 1:00 pm at First Presbyterian Church, San Benito with burial to follow at Mont Meta Memorial Park. A reception will be held in his honor at First Presbyterian Church immediately afterwards, where all are welcome to celebrate his life.

Memorial donations can be made to the American Heart Association or directly to the family, if desired.