Ernesto Ayala, Jr.

Ernesto Ayala, Jr., 88, passed away Sunday, October 13, 2024, at McAllen Heart Hospital.

Mr. Ayala was a lifelong resident of Pharr and a member of St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church. He was a veteran of the United States Army and the Army Reserves. Ernesto was a Texas High School referee and a college referee for the Lone Star Conference and Southeast Conference for over 50 years. He was actively involved in community service and dedicated his life to fundraising for various charities. Mr. Ayala was employed by the City of Pharr from 1971 to 1995 as Finance Director and Assistant City Manager. He later retired from Pharr Municipal Court after seven years of service.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Clara S. and Ernesto Ayala, Sr.; brother, Ruben Ayala, Sr.; and sister, Alicia Daniel. 

Ernesto is survived by his wife of 64 years, Amelia Canche Ayala; four children, Clara Ayala (Ricardo) Ramos, Sarah Ayala, Monica Ayala, Thomas (Veronica) Ayala, Sr.; eight grandchildren, Vanessa Luna, Miranda Dimas, Jonathan Villarreal, Erick Villarreal, Christian Candanoza, Thomas Ayala Jr., Aidan Ayala, and Mychael Ayala; four great- grandchildren, Alessa Gonzalez, Audrey Gonzalez, Emiliana Gonzalez, and Addelina Rodriguez; and a brother, Raul Ayala.

Visitation will begin at 5 p.m., with a 6 p.m. rosary Thursday, October 17, 2024, at Memorial Funeral Home in San Juan. Funeral service will take place at 2 p.m. Friday, October 18, 2024, at St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church in Pharr. Interment will follow at Palm Valley Memorial Gardens in Pharr. 

Funeral services are under the direction of Memorial Funeral Home in San Juan.