"Our death is not an endif we can live on in ourchildren and theyounger generation.For they are us,our bodies are onlywilted leaveson the Tree of Life,"Albert EinsteinErnest John Arias of Yuma, AZ passed away peacefully with his daughters by his side on the morning of August 3, 2016. He was 76 years old."Ernie" was born on June 24, 1940 in Yuma, AZ to Ernesto and Rita Arias. He attended Yuma High School and upon leaving high school he joined the U.S. Army. Ernie spent four years in the Army and was able to travel to Germany, which he spoke of often; he was honorably discharged in 1964. In 1968 he married Virginia Ramsey and over the next two years they had two daughters, Dawn and Shannon. Ernie and Gina moved to the North Gila Valley where they raised their girls. Ernie spent 30 plus years driving a hay truck and for many of those years he had the strenuous job of unloading hay by hand. It was back breaking work that his young nephews and family friends, who would ride along with him to work, would attest to.He loved being outdoors, hunting and participating in shooting sports. Ernie and his family, as well as his extended family, spent countless weekends at Adair Range trap shooting. He also spent many a day fishing with his grandkids and nephews and had a passion for deer and elk hunting. It wasn't uncommon to pay a visit to Ernie and find him sitting outside enjoying the day, no matter the weather.Ernie was the eldest child in a family of 13. He was truly loved and looked up to by his many siblings and extensive family. Several of his family members, especially his nephews, always said that he was the toughest guy they knew. He was, and he maintained his independence til his final days.Ernie was a proud grandfather of four. His grandkids softened his tough exterior and brought out a deep love in him that only a grandchild could. Nick, Dar Jenna, Shorty and Sunnie adored their "Papa." They were very blessed to be able to spend many of his last days at the hospital helping to care for him and attending to his requests, no matter how small.Ernie is survived by his daughters, Dawn (Cedric) Shephard and Shannon (Robert) Holman; his grandchildren, Dar Jenna Shephard, Sunnie Shephard, Nicholas Lopez and Rhiannon "Shorty" Lopez; his siblings, Sandra (John) Jackson, Marsha (Jesus) Vega, Frank "Bobo" Arias, Ray Arias, Rosie Arias, Norma Delgado, Henry Arias and Samuel Arias, as well as numerous nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews.He is preceded in death by his wife, Virginia Arias; his mother, Rita Arias; his father, Ernesto Arias; his siblings, Julia Zurita, Gilbert Arias, Charlie Arias, Ralph Arias; his nephews, Gary Ware and John Matthew Riesland.Pallbearers will be Nicholas Lopez, Maison Sandy, William Ware, Danny Montana, Ernie "Reno" Arias and Ralph Arias Jr.Honorary pallbearers are Frank "Bobo" Arias, Ray Arias, Henry Arias, Samuel Arias, Maynard Sandy, Jose Vega, Carlos Vega, Enrique Delgado and Dean Moreno.Visitation will be Tuesday, August 9 from 5-9pm. Funeral services will be Wednesday, August 10, at 9am. Cecil Pratt will officiate the services. Visitation and funeral services will both be held at Johnson Mortuary in Yuma AZ.