Ernest Felix Rillos M.D., 53, passed away at home on Thursday, August 6, 2009. He was born on February 2, 1956 in Corona, California. He was a beloved husband, father, brother, son and friend to all. A proud Kofa King, Ernie graduated from Kofa High School in 1974 and also attended Woodard Junior High School. He joined the U.S. Navy in 1975 as a hospital corpsman. He left the Navy in 1997 as a Lieutenant Commander, having served aboard the U.S.S. Dixon and U.S.S. Durham. While serving, he received the Navy Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Navy Good Conduct Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon with a Bronze Star and a Sea Service Deployment Ribbon. Ernie graduated from the University of California, Davis School of Medicine in 1987, having completed his undergraduate studies at the University of California, San Diego. Ernie completed his orthopaedic surgery residency at the Naval Medical Center San Diego and spent two years at the Naval Hospital in Okinawa, Japan. Afterward, he and his family returned to Yuma where he established his orthopaedic surgery practice. Ernie joined the staff of Yuma Regional Medical Center in 1997, where he stormed the halls in his starched white lab coat. His roles there included Chief of Staff, Chief of Surgery, and Chair of the Credentials Committee. He was named the Yuma County Chamber of Commerce Medical Professional of the Year in 2004. In 2006, Ernie was the recipient of the Frances Woodard Award, given to Yuma County School graduates who made an impact in the community. Ernie loved working with children and teenagers. He often acted as a medical consultant to high school coaches and trainers and provided athletic physicals, often at no charge to many low-income students. Known for his larger-than-life personality, Ernie was an avid reader and athlete. He was a regular at World Gym and The Coffee Bean, where he greeted people with his signature saying, "Hey Kid". Above all, he loved spending time with his family. Ernie is survived by his wife of 34 years, Tracy; daughter, Laura of Eugene, Oregon; son, Mark of San Diego, California; mother, Macaria Rillos of Yuma; sisters, Eva (Don) Davis of San Diego, Mickey Finn of San Diego, and Linda Howard of Kailua, Hawaii; brothers, Eddie (Joni) Rillos of Sacramento, and Eric Rillos of San Diego; and numerous beloved nieces and nephews. A funeral mass will take place at St. Francis of Assisi Church on Wednesday, August 12, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. A reception will be held at the Yuma Regional Medical Center, Heart Center lobby following the service. Pallbearers will be Eddie Rillos, Eric Rillos, Mark Rillos, Don Davis, Phil Coffeen, and Steve Pallack. Honorary pallbearers are Rollie Rillos, Cameron Wood, and Ron Fike. To honor Ernie's love of this community and passion for the medical field, a memorial scholarship has been established in his name. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Ernest F. Rillos M.D. Memorial Scholarship, care of the Foundation of YRMC, 2400 S. Avenue A, Yuma, AZ 85364. Please sign the guestbook at www.yumasun.com/obituaries.