Ernesto M. Atkinson

Ernesto Martinez Atkinson, 94, peacefully passed from this life on Friday, January 15, 2021 at his home.  He was born to Alberto Cantu Atkinson and Anita Martinez, a pioneer family of the Brownsville-Matamoros and Rio Hondo-San Benito area, on November 30, 1926 in San Benito, Texas.

As a young boy, Ernesto joined the Boy Scouts and was a member of Troop 69 until the age of 16, He then joined the Texas State Guard from where he received an honorable discharge to join the United States Army during World War II.  He served in the 8th U.S. Army in the Asiatic Pacific under General Douglas McArthur until the end of WWII.   After the war, having received an honorable discharge, he joined the U.S. Army National Guard 4th Armored Division where he served 3 years during the Korean War.

On April 25, 1949, Ernesto and the love of his life, Consuelo Corona, were married at St. Benedict Catholic Church.

He was employed by Central Power and Light, Co. at the San Benito and Laredo power plants.  He was a valued employee of CP&L for 41 years until his retirement.

Ernesto was well known in the community for his 22 years of service with the Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion Post 205 where he served as Chaplain.

He was of the Catholic faith and a member of Our Lady Queen of the Universe Catholic Church.

Left to treasure his memory are Ernesto’s children, Rodolfo (Maria) Atkinson, Rolando (Susana) Atkinson, Richard (Pat) Atkinson, Dahlia (Fred) Garcia and Veronica Atkinson.  He is also survived by 11 grandchildren, 7 great-grandchildren, and his sister Betty Danylak.

Ernesto was preceded in death by his wife, Consuelo Atkinson; parents, Alberto and Anita M. Atkinson; brothers, Gilbert, Thomas, Henry, Tony, and Albert Atkinson, Jr.; sisters, Bertha Persal, Estella Atkinson, Norma Lee Atkinson, and Dora Lugo.

The Atkinson family will receive friends and relatives on Monday, January 18, 2021 from 3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Buck Ashcraft San Benito Funeral Home.  A Recitation of the Holy Rosary will begin at 7 o’clock on Monday evening. (Click the link below to view a live-stream of the Recitation of the Holy Rosary service.) Graveside service and interment with full military honors will take place at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, January 19, 2021 at Mont Meta Memorial Park.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Buck Ashcraft San Benito Funeral Home, 1400 W. Business 77, San Benito, Texas 78586.  www.sanbenitofuneralhome.com 956.361.9192

All guests must wear a facial covering and practice social distancing while visiting the funeral home.