Ernest Pompeo

Ernest Pompeo was born on April 16, 1926 to Guiseppe Pompeo and Nancy Brandolino Pompeo. He was married to Betty Lou Wilton for 58 years, who preceded him in death in 2013. Ernest is survived by his daughter, Tsenre L. Deveraux; son-in-law, Michael A. Deveraux; granddaughters and grandsons, Amber M. Deveraux and Ryan M. Zoubovitch, and Lauren Deveraux O’Neal and Riley E. O’Neal; sister and brother-in-law, Diana Pompeo Cimino and Larry Cimino; brother and sister-in-law, Frank and Terry Pompeo; sister-in-law, Mildred Pompeo; nieces and nephews, Monica and Robin Davis, Mark and Carol Martinez, Michael and Tammy Pompeo, Larry Pompeo, all of their children; many treasured extended family members and friends, and four sweet great-granddoggies.

Ernest graduated from Maxwell High School as Valedictorian. His leadership ability began in high school serving as Student Body President, Publication Editor, All-State Basketball Player and National 4-H Winner. Ernest attended college at Eastern New Mexico University on academic and athletic scholarships, honored as “The Greatest Greyhound” for two consecutive years as a football and basketball player, earning many collegiate accolades.

Ernest served in the U.S. Army, 4th Infantry Division as an MP at Fort Ord, CA. He attended Leadership and Military Police Schools, along with FBI Training finishing as the Honor Graduate. After his military service, Ernest was a mathematics teacher and athletic coach in Quay County Schools. Moving to Santa Fe, he was associated with the automobile business since 1948. He became a dealer in 1966 as owner and general manager of the Auto Trading Post. Ernest served as a member of many national automotive dealer associations, and an honored Nissan Dealer in the Rocky Mountain Region. He developed many commercial properties, is a past President of the Better Business Bureau in Santa Fe, and member of many civic and community organizations. Ernest was always passionate about working to improve the community. Throughout his life, Ernest loved gardening, cooking, playing cards, and spending time in the mountains.

With great respect for the Masonic Fraternity, Ernest is a past Master of Montezuma Lodge #1 and Cerrillos Lodge #19 in Santa Fe, NM; past Deputy Grand Master, Member of the Scottish Rite, York Rite, and Shrine, and Order of the Eastern Star. He fondly served for over 20 years as an Executive and State Auditor for the Grand Assembly of New Mexico, Int’l Order of the Rainbow for Girls, and was a founding member of the Rainbow Girls Foundation of New Mexico.

Family members and friends have used many special, loving words that describe him, such as: “a man among men,” “a true gentleman,” “true example of an amazing man, with such a sense of humor.” Mike and Tsenre want him to be remembered for always trying to help others become the best they can be through his own example and encouragement, and through his generosity to help others succeed. As evidenced by his daughter and granddaughters, all past Grand Worthy Advisors, and now Amber, a Physician’s Assistant and Critical Care Paramedic; and Lauren a Doctor of Optometry. Ernest would want to be remembered by, and continue to promote a legacy of success. Our family is extremely grateful to the staff of the Retreat in Rio Rancho, Lovelace Westside Hospital, Las Palomas, Dr. Angela Sanchez, Kindred Hospice, and Hospice de la Luz for their kind and unselfish care.

Services will be held Monday, January 28, 2019, 9:30 a.m., at FRENCH – Wyoming. Friends may visit beginning at 8:30 a.m. Interment will take place that afternoon at 12:45 p.m. at Santa Fe National Cemetery. A Reception following the Interment will be held at Montezuma Masonic Lodge on 431 Paseo De Peralta, Santa Fe, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to the Rainbow Girls Foundation of New Mexico in Ernest’s honor.