Richard Orval Ernest

Ricard (Dick) Ernest was born in Nampa, Idaho, January 15, 1945, to Leota and Donald Ernest. He was the 8th of 10 children, and the first to be born in a hospital. With his wife and daughter-in-law at his side, he passed away July 14, 2023, after losing a bravely fought battle with abdominal sepsis. Except for a brief move to Missouri, Dick was raised on several different farms in the Treasure Valley, joining his brothers in milking cows at the age of 5. His lifelong love of horses began at an early age with a horse named Jeep. After nearly being paralyzed when he broke his back as a teenager in 1962, Dick was told by the doctors that he was never to horses. He just couldn't give up one of his greatest joys. He was never without a horse. It was a very sad day when he had to say goodbye to his last horse two years ago. Despite a lengthy recovery from his back surgery, Dick graduated from Gem State Academy in 1963. In 1970, he graduated from Walla Walla College with a B.S. degree in Nursing. He returned to Idaho where he worked as epidemiologist for Southwest District Health Department for 2 years. Montana State University started a new nurse practitioner program in 1972, and Dick was accepted. When he graduated, he returned to Idaho to pioneer Nurse Practitioners in the state. His license number was #13. He worked in family practice in Nampa and Payette, with most of his career spent with Terry Reilly Clinic in Homedale. He greatly enjoyed his work and was loved by his patients. After retiring, his patients still called him "Doc" when they met him in town. Dick married LaVelle Hudson in June of 1973. (He celebrated his 50th wedding anniversary in the hospital.) They were blessed with 3 children and 9 grandchildren. He was preceded in death by 2 brothers, a sister, and a granddaughter. Surviving him are his wife, LaVelle; son, Jeremy (Alicia), Jamie (Jenny); daughter, Jessica Downing (Lance), and grandchildren; Austin, Savannah, Carsen, Nathaniel, Adysen, Mathew, Mitchel, and Logan. Brothers; Larry (Shirley), Alan (Rayma), and Gary (Blanca), sisters; Donene McAndrew (Dewayne), Pat Englert (John), and Fredda Albrecht (Max). As a husband, dad, papa, and brother, you will be greatly missed, Doer. We love you! To Livestream Richard's service please copy and paste the following link: https://client.tribucast.com/tcid/3860754226