Ernesto "Ernie" Gonzales Rodriguez

Ernesto Gonzales Rodriguez August 2nd, 1959 - July 15th, 2023 Wenatchee, Washington Ernesto Gonzales Rodriguez, age 63, peacefully passed away at home on Saturday, July 15th, 2023, after a long fight with an extended illness. He was surrounded by family and friends in the final days. Born August 2nd, 1959 in Blythe, California, to Benito Aguilar Rodriguez and Otilia Gonzales Rodriguez, he was the last born of a family of 9 children. When Ernie was 8 years old, the family moved up to Washington State and made a life for themselves in Moses Lake, Washington. Ernie attended Moses Lake schools and graduated from Moses Lake High School in 1977. Ernie always loved a good adventure and was willing to spread his wings towards anything that caught his attention to include attending the Art Institute of Seattle, New Tribes Bible Institute, and Bailey School of Broadcasting, to which he later made a career out of. Down the road, in 1988, Ernie was on vacation visiting family in California and ended up stumbling upon a potential job in Atascadero. He went in for an interview and that is where he met Lisa. Ernie always told the story of how he told the interviewer that Lisa would be his wife someday, and the rest is history. Ernie and Lisa married in Paso Robles at the Country Club on May 11th, 1991. Ernie worked in radio in Seattle, the Central Coast of California, including San Luis Obispo and Santa Maria, and once they moved back up to Washington, he worked for radio in Moses Lake and throughout the greater Wenatchee Valley and surrounding areas. He was "Johnny on the Spot" with his whit and humor he brought to the radio airwaves, without ever skipping a beat. He announced the Waterville Demolition Derby each year beginning in 1999, announcing his final year the day he was released from Harborview Medical Center after a just shy of a 2-month stay in 2012. He announced up at the Wenatchee Valley Super Oval in the early 2000's, something he thoroughly enjoyed. Ernie began with the Wenatchee Wild organization their inaugural season in 2008 as the PA Announcer. Ernie loved the team and the fan base more than any words could ever explain. He was honored to hold the position he did until the very last playoff game in early 2023. Ernie was a believer in God and the family finds comfort and peace knowing he is in heaven resting peacefully. Ernie will be especially remembered for his sense of humor. He could come up with the funniest joke you ever heard faster than you could say jokester! He will be remembered for his love and knowledge of music. He held so much passion for all things life. He loved a good adventure. Ernie was an artist, he was a great singer, a certified Scuba Diver, and a huge fan of NASCAR. Of course, he will forever be remembered as the announcer of the Wenatchee Wild and his iconic howl. Ernie had a way of making everyone feel like he was a friend to them. Whether it was a non-profit group, a listener of the radio, or someone who attended a wild game, he was so easy to love. Ernie is survived by his wife, Lisa, children Anna (Alisa) and Richmond, his siblings JoAnn (Lupe) Hernandez, Virginia Rodriguez, Diana (Tomas) Alamos, and Benito Rodriguez Jr. He is survived by numerous nieces and nephews, and great nieces and nephews. Ernie is also survived by his mother-in-law Patricia Chacon and brothers-in-law, residing throughout California; David Young, Carlos (Noelle) Chacon, and John (Jeanne) Chacon. Ernie was preceded in death by his parents Benito and Otilia Rodriguez, his sister and brother-in-law, Rebecca (Manuel) Ortiz, niece Elisa (Ortiz) Bell, and infant siblings Raquel, Susanna, and Nicanor, and father-in-law Luis T. Chacon. A Celebration of Life will be held at a future date. The family will inform people as soon as the details are in place. Memorial contributions/donations are welcome at Lilac Services for the Blind or any preferred charity. You are invited to view Ernie's online tribute at www.HeritageMemorialChapel.com to share a memory or leave a condolence. Arrangements are in the care of Heritage Memorial Chapel, East Wenatchee & Cashmere.

Ernesto "Ernie" Gonzales Rodriguez

August 2, 1959 - July 15, 2023