Ernesto Tomas Uribe took his own life on September 25, 2022, after a courageous battle with depression.  He is the beloved son of Ernesto Uribe II, and Kelly Davis Uribe, and the beloved older brother of Daniel Kennan Uribe.  They are heartbroken by their tragic loss.  Ernesto was a passionate, creative and sensitive soul.  His wit was quick, his laugh infectious and his smile always ready.  Ernesto's watchword was "fun," and his short life's adventures might fill a book.  Above all, Ernesto was a charismatic people-gatherer who valued broad and deep friendships.

Ernesto was born on August, 18, 2005, in Alexandria, Virginia, and spent his formative years in Woodbridge, Virginia.  He shared a room and every adventure with his brother, Daniel.  Ernesto attended Westridge Elementary School, where he was a gifted honor roll student, cub scout and member of the Westridge Waves Swim Team.  Ernesto played joyfully in the neighborhood, riding bikes, building snow forts, splashing in the creek and attending cul-de-sac parties.  Ernesto enjoyed many glorious summers at the beach in Oak Island, NC, with his family, grandparents and cousins.  He also treasured every visit to the Uribe Family ranch, in Zapata, Texas, where Ernesto rode horses, fed chickens and cows, hunted for arrowheads and learned to drive.  Ernesto attended Sunday School at Pohick Episcopal Church and served as an acolyte there.  At Lake Ridge Middle School, Ernesto formed a deep bond with his Spanish teacher, whose encouragement and support endured throughout his struggle with depression.

In 2019, the family moved to Gainesville, Virginia, where Ernesto attended Gainesville Middle School and Gainesville High School.  In Gainesville, Ernesto discovered a passion and gift for art.  He spent many hours designing and painting graffiti – some of which is still visible today.  Ernesto was a natural athlete.  He was a member of Nation's Capital Swim Team for five years, and qualified for the Eastern Zones competition in 2018.  The next year, Ernesto traveled to San Antonio, Texas, where he won the national age group championship in Modern Pentathlon.  His coaches were a source of encouragement and grounding, and the swim friendships he established endure today.  Ernesto enjoyed a wide-range of hip-hop music, which could often be heard blaring from his room.  He took many late night walks and bike rides, enjoying the solitude and peace provided by the natural world.  In 2022, Ernesto found an academic home at Fusion Academy, Tysons Corner.  On his 17 ^th birthday, Ernesto chose to get a "777" tattoo, describing himself as lucky.

During the last three years of his life, Ernesto struggled with depression.  He patiently endured countless medical appointments, therapy sessions and residential treatment in pursuit of healing.  We will never know his thoughts on Sunday morning, September, 25 ^th , but we are confident he knew he was loved.  His family is forever grateful for the loving care Ernesto received from his pediatrician, psychiatrist, therapist, Fire Mountain, Aspiro and Fusion Academy.

He is survived by a host of loving family members including his Grandparents, Kenneth and Mary Davis of Clarksville, Virginia, and his Grandmother, Sarah Meade Uribe, of Falls Church, VA, Uncle Fernando and Aunt Anne of Brownsville, Texas, Uncle Augie and Aunt Lise of New York, Uncle Duane and Aunt Julie of Cleveland, Ohio, and eight cousins.

The family received friends on Friday, September 30, 2022 from 6-8 PM at Pierce Funeral Home, 9609 Center Street, Manassas, VA. Funeral services were held on Saturday, October 1, 2022 at 1:00 PM at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Haymarket, VA.  Following the service, friends and family are invited to the family's home for a celebration of Ernesto's life.  Burial will take place on the Veleño Ranch in Zapata, Texas, next to his adored Grandfather and namesake, Ernesto Uribe.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Youth Mental Health Project at https://ymhproject.org or the Fusion Scholarship Foundation at https://fusionscholarship.org .

A Graveside service will be held on Tuesday, October 11, 2022, at 3:00 p.m. at Veleño Ranch in Zapata, Texas.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Rose Garden Funeral Home Daniel A. Gonzalez, Funeral Director, 2102 N. US HWY 83 Zapata, Texas.