Individual Details
Ernest Michael Briles Jr.
(23 Nov 1918 - 10 Apr 2003)
BRILES, ERNEST M JR
TEC5 US ARMY
WORLD WAR II
DATE OF BIRTH: 11/23/1918
DATE OF DEATH: 04/10/2003
BURIED AT: SECTION 4 SITE 511
SOUTHERN ARIZONA VETERANS MEMORIAL CEMETERY
1300 BUFFALO SOLDIER TRAIL SIERRA VISTA, AZ 85635
(602) 248-1569
Nov. 23, 1918-April 10, 2003
Ernest M. "Ernie" Briles , 84, a three-year resident of Elgin, Ariz., passed away on Thursday, April 10, 2003, in Tucson, Ariz. He was born on Nov. 23, 1918, in Chipley, Fla., to the late Ernest and Cora (Cain) Briles.
His family moved to a family farm in North Carolina, when he was 5 years old. At the early age of 15, he ventured off to California to capture his dreams. In July 1944 he was inducted into the U.S. Army, serving honorably during World War II. After his time in the Army, he became a successful businessman, working in pipeline construction. His passions outside of work included fishing, hunting, gardening and restoring a 1927 Packard Roadster.
He and his wife, Mary, moved to Elgin in March 2000 to be close to his family and enjoy his country roots. He won numerous awards at the Santa Cruz County Fair for his prized vegetables.
He was brave, courageous and often referred to as a "hero" by his friends and family. He will continue to be an inspiration to all who knew him. He will be greatly missed.
Ernie was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Rudy, Raymond, Ralph, Joe, Fred and Rex; and his sister, Lucille. He was the sole survivor of eight children. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Mary J. Briles of Elgin; children, Ron (Barb) Briles of Laguna Beach, Calif., Gary Briles of Amado, Ariz., and Debra Briles of Elgin; grandchildren, Wendy, Mike, Joe and Gary; and great-grandchildren, Joshua, Max and Trent.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in Ernie's name to the American Cancer Society Memorial, 2160 E. Fry Blvd, Suite C-5 No. 343, Sierra Vista AZ 85635.
Graveside services, with military honors, will be held at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, April 15, 2003, at the Southern Arizona Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 1300 Buffalo Soldier Trail, in Sierra Vista, Ariz. A memorial gathering will be held at his daughter Debbie's home immediately following services for his family and friends.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Jensen's Sierra Vista Mortuary
TEC5 US ARMY
WORLD WAR II
DATE OF BIRTH: 11/23/1918
DATE OF DEATH: 04/10/2003
BURIED AT: SECTION 4 SITE 511
SOUTHERN ARIZONA VETERANS MEMORIAL CEMETERY
1300 BUFFALO SOLDIER TRAIL SIERRA VISTA, AZ 85635
(602) 248-1569
Nov. 23, 1918-April 10, 2003
Ernest M. "Ernie" Briles , 84, a three-year resident of Elgin, Ariz., passed away on Thursday, April 10, 2003, in Tucson, Ariz. He was born on Nov. 23, 1918, in Chipley, Fla., to the late Ernest and Cora (Cain) Briles.
His family moved to a family farm in North Carolina, when he was 5 years old. At the early age of 15, he ventured off to California to capture his dreams. In July 1944 he was inducted into the U.S. Army, serving honorably during World War II. After his time in the Army, he became a successful businessman, working in pipeline construction. His passions outside of work included fishing, hunting, gardening and restoring a 1927 Packard Roadster.
He and his wife, Mary, moved to Elgin in March 2000 to be close to his family and enjoy his country roots. He won numerous awards at the Santa Cruz County Fair for his prized vegetables.
He was brave, courageous and often referred to as a "hero" by his friends and family. He will continue to be an inspiration to all who knew him. He will be greatly missed.
Ernie was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Rudy, Raymond, Ralph, Joe, Fred and Rex; and his sister, Lucille. He was the sole survivor of eight children. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Mary J. Briles of Elgin; children, Ron (Barb) Briles of Laguna Beach, Calif., Gary Briles of Amado, Ariz., and Debra Briles of Elgin; grandchildren, Wendy, Mike, Joe and Gary; and great-grandchildren, Joshua, Max and Trent.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in Ernie's name to the American Cancer Society Memorial, 2160 E. Fry Blvd, Suite C-5 No. 343, Sierra Vista AZ 85635.
Graveside services, with military honors, will be held at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, April 15, 2003, at the Southern Arizona Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 1300 Buffalo Soldier Trail, in Sierra Vista, Ariz. A memorial gathering will be held at his daughter Debbie's home immediately following services for his family and friends.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Jensen's Sierra Vista Mortuary
Events
| Birth | 23 Nov 1918 | Randolph County NC | |||
| Death | 10 Apr 2003 | Green Valley Arizona, Pima County Arizona |  | ||
| Burial | Southern Arizona Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Sierra Vista, Cochise, Arizona, United States | |
Families
| Spouse | Mary Jane Kester (1921 - 2017) |
| Child | Ronnie Michael "Ron" Briles (1943 - 2020) |
| Child | Gary Joseph Briles (1949 - 2014) |
| Child | Debra M Briles (1956 - ) |
| Father | Ernest Michael Briles (1885 - 1971) |
| Mother | Cora Ellen Cain (1893 - 1962) |
| Sibling | Clarence Ralph Briles (1910 - 1964) |
| Sibling | Rudolph Valentino Briles (1911 - 1995) |
| Sibling | Raymond Briles (1913 - 1996) |
| Sibling | Rex Briles (1915 - 1942) |
| Sibling | Lucille May Briles (1921 - 1991) |
| Sibling | Joseph Lafyette Briles (1923 - 1978) |
| Sibling | Fred Perry Briles (1924 - 1996) |
Endnotes
1. SSI ( Social Security Index).
2. Photo of Gravemarker.