Ernesto Casillas Campos

Ernesto Campos Obituary Ernesto "Ernie" Casillas Campos was more than a husband, father, grandfather, and friend - he was the heartbeat of our family. His life was filled with love, and laughter and those lucky enough to know him will carry his spirit with them forever.
Born in Jalisco, Mexico, on October 1, 1958, Ernie came to the United States as a young boy, full of curiosity and determination. He grew up in Santa Ana, where he quickly learned the value of hard work and family. He graduated from Santa Ana High School, and it was during those years that he met the love of his life, Victoria Lopez. After four years of dating, they married - beginning what would become a beautiful 43-year journey together filled with adventure, and love.
Anyone who knew Ernie knew how much he loved working with his hands. Landscaping wasn't just a job for him - it was an art, a calling. He spent over five decades shaping gardens, trimming trees, and breathing life into outdoor spaces. Even after long days of work, he'd come home and somehow still find the energy to fix something, plant something, or help someone.
Ernie was a man in constant motion. Whether he was coaching his kids' Little League Baseball teams, tinkering with his beloved El Camino, or pulling weeds in the yard, he never sat still for long. He had a deep love for sports - especially baseball - and an even deeper love for his family. His children and grandchildren were his pride and joy. He never missed a chance to cheer them on and to make them laugh with one of his signature jokes or quirky sayings - like his favorite, "no brains, no headaches."
Ernie's sense of humor, his big heart, and his willingness to drop everything to help someone else made him unforgettable. He gave without asking for anything in return. If something was broken, he'd fix it. If you were hurting, he'd listen - or try to make you laugh. He lived simply, but his impact was anything but small.
He leaves behind his beloved wife Victoria, sons Ricky and Freddy, daughters Mayra (with husband Carlos) and Ursula, and his three grandchildren, Robert, Alyssa, and Arian - all of whom carry his strength, humor, and warmth within them.
We will miss his stories, his laugh, his stubbornness, and the way he could make even the smallest moment feel important. Ernie's life was a beautiful reminder that you don't need fame or fortune to leave a legacy - just love, honesty, and a little bit of mischief.
He was our rock. And though he's no longer physically with us, his spirit lives on in every tree he planted, every joke we remember, and every act of kindness we pass on in his name.
Services
Visitation
Wednesday
August 13, 2025
4:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Ferrara Colonial Mortuary
351 N. Hewes Street
Orange, CA 92869
Rosary and Sharing
Wednesday
August 13, 2025
7:00 PM
Ferrara Colonial Mortuary
351 N. Hewes Street
Orange, CA 92869
Funeral Mass
Thursday
August 14, 2025
10:00 AM
La Purisima Catholic Church
11712 N. Hewes Street
Orange, CA 92869
Graveside Service immediately following funeral service
Thursday
August 14, 2025
11:30 AM
Holy Sepulcher Cemetery
7845 Santiago Canyon Rd.,
Orange, CA 92869