ERNEST (“ERNIE”) MEDINA
(December 17, 1930 – February 9, 2025)
Ernest (“Ernie”) Medina passed away peacefully at home with family at his side in Stockton, California on February 9, 2025.
He was born on December 17, 1930, in Morenci, Arizona. He loved his mother Concha Medina Carrillo and grandmother Jesusita dearly. He was predeceased by his devoted wife Helen Medina, whom he adored. He would serenade her with songs de amor in English and Spanish. Ernie and Helen were married on May 25, 1952, and shared 72 years of a loving relationship. He was predeceased by his sisters Esther Carrillo and Angelina Carrillo Silva.
Ernie is survived by his children, Frederick, Sandra Medina-Haberman (John), and Nancy. He leaves behind his sisters Anna Carrillo and Virginia Jimenez, as well as many nephews, nieces, relatives, godchildren, and friends.
He was affectionately called Grandpa, Gramps, Abuelo, and Papa by his four grandchildren Megan, Ernesto, Esteban, and John and three great-grandchildren Kennedy, Miles, and Drake. Gramps was heard cheering enthusiastically for his grandchildren at their athletic and school events. He is fondly remembered dressing up as Santa Claus for Christmas Eve family fiestas and Barney for grandchildren’s birthday parties. He was known for wearing Kangol hats and camisas de Guayabera. He savored and shared Choward’s Violet Mints Candy.
Ernie loved interacting with children. Known as “Papa Ernie,” his animated face would light up, his eyes would twinkle, and he’d exchange lively smiles with them. In later years, his eyes still sparkled with childish spunk and brilliance as the lines on his face became more evident from his constant smile.
Ernie graduated from Saint Mary’s High School, class of 1949, played football and the trumpet, and was inducted into the SMHS Hall of Fame in 2009. He attended San Joaquin Delta College, Cal State Sacramento, and Cal State Stanislaus, graduating with a criminal justice degree.
He served in the National Guard from 1949-1955 in the 164th Artillery Unit.
Ernie joined the Stockton Police Department in 1956 and retired as Sargeant in 1984. He dedicated 28 years serving the Stockton community working patrols, narcotics, vice, intelligence, community relations, and street gangs. He also taught law enforcement classes at Delta College.
In 1967, he was sworn in as president of the Stockton Police Widows and Orphans Association. He was also chairman of the state Narcotics Officers Association for Northern and Central California. He was part of the Stockton Police Pistol Team, California State Police Pistol Champions – Governor’s Trophy-Perfect Score. He worked tirelessly to enhance diversity within the Stockton PD. When he retired, he was quoted as saying: “As long as I am able, I will continue to be of service to anyone I can help."
He remained committed to serving others after his retirement. He got involved with Su Salud Health Fair and helped produce a cable show, "To Prevent is to Cure." He was involved with such organizations as the Committee of Mexican American Associations, Hispanics for Political Action, Stockton Sister Cities Association, Catholic Charities, and the Council for the Spanish-Speaking. Other affiliations included St. Gertrude’s Church, St. Luke Church, Church of the Presentation, Elks, Knights of Columbus, Dante Club, and Pacific Italian Alliance. Ernie was inducted into the Mexican American Hall of Fame in 1998 for his service to the people of Stockton.
Ernie prioritized and cherished spending time visiting relatives and friends near and far. Ernie loved traveling, often spending the winter months in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico with his wife. He enjoyed trips to San Francisco and Sausalito to dine at his favorite neighborhood restaurants. He was frequently greeted with a glass of red wine by restaurant staff. He was gregarious and didn’t hesitate to strike up a conversation and joke with others. Family and friends looked forward to his visits and treated “Don Ernesto” like royalty.
Ernie was an avid sports enthusiast, cheering on the Oakland Raiders with close friends at season games, including three Super Bowls. He also enjoyed attending SF Giants games.
Ernie delighted in music, dancing, and singing. Even if he didn’t know the lyrics, he would come up with his own. He enjoyed attending Broadway musicals and singing the songs on the ride home. He often listened to Big Band music and sang along with Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennet, Dean Martin, and other classic crooners. Some of his all-time favorite songs included “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” “I Left My Heart in San Francisco,” and “My Way.”
Ernie was a “jack-of-all-trades” working on honey-do lists and helping countless family and friends with home improvement/house painting projects. He was known for his attention to detail and thoroughness.
Ernie embraced all the roles he was blessed with. He was a selfless husband, father, son, grandson, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, nephew, uncle, cousin, godfather, friend, and neighbor. He is loved and admired by many for his kindness and compassion. He listened wholeheartedly and was a beacon to others who needed help.
We were so blessed to have him as our father. He always looked out for us and put God and family first. Dad would help us with our homework, patiently taught us to swim and ride a bicycle, and would sing along as we practiced our music lessons. He took us on many family road trips including Disneyland, Santa Cruz, and Mexico. He also excitedly brought home surprise family pets. Dad ensured we had a full tank of gas and a clean, operating car during our visits from college and even into our careers. Our Dad instilled his wisdom and values in us, including a strong work ethic, continued learning and education, and community service, all of which he exemplified.
The Medina Family would like to thank relatives and friends for their visits, calls, and prayers. Ernie appreciated seeing and hearing from loved ones and would welcome them with his warm, infectious smile.
Our sincere gratitude to Father Mathew Issac for his many visits, prayers, and blessings which gave him comfort and peace.
Thank you to the medical professionals who cared for him.
For the last few years, Ernie was lovingly cared for in his Stockton home by his children, niece Roseanne Ceja, nephew Billy Contreras and caregivers Marlin Barahona, Claudia Yanez, Marlem Soto Aviña, and Teresita Amaya. He would greet them with a hearty “Buongiorno!”
A private family Committal Service was held.
CELEBRATION OF LIFE
A Rosary and Mass to honor Ernie and Helen will be held followed by a Celebration of Life.
Date: Friday, March 28, 2025
Time: 10:00 a.m. Rosary followed by Mass
Place: St. Luke Catholic Church, 3847 North Sutter Street, Stockton, CA 95204
Reception and lunch to follow at 12:00 p.m. in Saint Luke Social Hall (adjacent to church)
If you wish to do something in Ernie’s memory, please consider making a donation in his name to one of the following or a charity of your choice:
St. Mary’s High School, 5648 N. El Dorado Street, Stockton, CA 95207, www.saintmaryshighschool.org
St. Mary’s Community Services, 545 W. Sonora Street, Stockton, CA 95203, www.smcares.org
Catholic Charities, 6777 Embarcadero Drive, Stockton, CA 95219, www.ccstockton.org
Ernie’s Catholic faith was a very important part of his life. He would start and end each day with prayer. He prayed the Rosary often and prayed for others. One of his favorite prayers was “Prayer to Our Lady of Guadalupe.”
Ernie is deeply loved, greatly missed, and will forever remain in our hearts and prayers.
“Well done, good and faithful servant.” (Matthew 25:21)
Descanse en paz maravilloso y querido esposo y padre.
Prayer to Our Lady of Guadalupe
Most gracious Virgin of Guadalupe, who blessed
Mexico and all the Americas by your appearance
to St. Juan Diego, intercede for the holy Church,
protect the pope, and help everyone who invokes
you in their necessities.
O mystical rose, hear our prayers and our petitions,
especially for the particular intention we pray for
at this time (make your request).
As the ever-Virgin Mary and Mother of the true
God, obtain for us from your most holy Son the
grace of keeping our faith, sweet hope in the midst
of the bitterness of life, as well as an ardent love
and the precious gift of final perseverance.
Amen.