Ernest Jerome Opella, 77, passed away suddenly June 5, 2014 in Houston, Texas and will be greatly missed by his family and friends. Born October 1, 1936 in West, Texas to Ernest Frank Opella and Margaret Socha Opella, the family moved to El Campo in 1938. He grew up attending St. Phillips Catholic Church and graduated from El Campo High School in 1955. He was an Eagle Scout and member of the Order of the Arrow. He held various jobs while in high school including picking cotton, working in a cotton gin and working as a butcher in his father's meat market. He graduated from Texas A & I University, Kingsville, in 1959 with a BBA Degree.

In 1958 he married his high school sweetheart Jeanette Labay. Upon graduation, his career took him to Houston where he worked as a Field Auditor POD for the Internal Revenue Service for 2 years then transferred to Bay City. In 1966 he started his own Tax Preparation and Consulting Business and enrolled to practice before the IRS in 1967. At the time of his death he was a member of the Nat. Association of Public Accountants, TX Society of Enrolled Agents, Nat. Association of Enrolled Agents and TX Association Financial & Tax Specialist. He went to work every day to operate his business and was continuing to update his education in the tax field. He entered Bay City politics in 1969 as a City Councilman and served until 1979. He was elected mayor of Bay City in 1979 and during his term, laid the groundwork for many improvements that would be carried out in the future years. He established the local Parks and Recreation Department and was proud of his vast improvements to LeTulle Park. He also started the drive to computerize the City government. He continued to be involved in issues of the City and was a strong vocal advocate for growth and progress. He was unselfish in his motives and always strived to be a good citizen and businessman.

Ernest loved Bay City with a sincere passion. He always supported local events and fundraising, and would always buy that BBQ or raffle ticket, especially from the youth. He was an avid collector for many years and had many interesting collections. He loved "the hunt" for that special antique or object. He served as a Scout Master, on many Advisory Boards which included the Board's regarding the Civic and Convention Center, the new High School and the City of Bay City Home Rule Charter Commission; he was past president and chairman of the Board of Directors of a local Savings and Loan; past president of the Matagorda County Museum Association and co-designer and builder of the award winning Children's Museum; served on the Board of the WCJC Foundation; and as a member of Holy Cross Catholic Church, was co-founder of the Parish Council and School Foundation. He was the 1966 Jaycees Outstanding Young Man of Bay City and in 2009, received the honor of being the Bay City Chamber of Commerce Man of the Year. Presently, he was a member of the Bay City Chamber of Commerce, Museum Association, Knights of Columbus and Holy Cross Catholic Church. He was a proud member of the Bay City Lion's Club since 1966 and served as president, chairman of the Rice Festival and held many positions locally, in the District, the State and Nationally. He served as District Governor of District 2S-4 in 2004-2005. This past May, he was awarded the highest honor a Texas Lion can receive, as he was selected to be a member of the Texas Lion Hall of Fame. He was very proud to be a Lion and everything it stood for.

Ernest is survived by his wife of 56 years, Jeanette Labay Opella; son and wife, Lt. Col (Ret.) Dwayne Opella and Gena of Weatherford; daughters and sons-in-law, Sharyl McDonald and Nathan of Bay City, Diane Morton and Randy of Hallettsville, Susan Maguire and Scott of Beeville; grandchildren, James McDonald, Taylor Opella, Jessie Opella, John Opella, Sydnie Maguire, Kaleb Maguire; and his brother, Robert J. Opella of Bay City. Ernest is also survived by his office assistant who has worked by his side for over 40 years, Julia Valdez of Bay City. He was preceded in death by his parents and by his grandson, Neil McDonald.

Visitation will begin at 4:30 PM Monday with a rosary being recited at 6:00 PM at Taylor Bros. Funeral Home. Funeral service will be 10:00 AM Tuesday, June 10, 2014 At Holy Cross Catholic Church with Msgr. Gerry Cernoch and Msgr. Casey Jarzombek officiating. Interment will be at Holy Cross Memorial Park in El Campo. Pallbearers include George Deshotels, Mitch Thames, J. L. Evans, Sr., Dan Hayes, Billy Mann, Bill Roe, Pasqual Martinez and Jake Foltyn. Honorary pallbearers are members of the Bay City Lions Club. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Matagorda Co. Museum Endowment Fund in memory of Ernest J. Opella or to the Texas Lions Camp at P.O. Box 290247, Kerrville, TX 78029.