Ernest House Sr.

ERNEST HOUSE SR. Funeral services for lifelong area resident Ernest House Sr. will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, September 24 at the Towaoc Recreational Center. Interment will follow at the Towaoc Cemetery. A traditional wake will be held on Friday, September 23 at the Towaoc Community Center beginning at 6 p.m. Ernest House Sr. was born on September 27, 1945 to Thomas House Sr. and Francis Marie (Wall) House and was raised in Mancos Canyon, Colo. He passed away on Saturday, September 17, 2011 at San Juan Regional Medical Center in Farmington, N.M. at the age of 65. Ernest was a member of the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe (Weeminuche Band) of the State of Colorado. As a respected tribal leader and former Chairman of the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe, he oversaw the Tribal Council and served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Tribal Business and Enterprise. Mr. House was a veteran of the Colorado Army National Guard, Special Forces (Airborne) Group and has been in Tribal Politics for over 30 years. Ernest was first elected to Tribal Council in 1979 and elected Tribal Chairman in 1982 and recently served in his fourth tenure as Tribal Chairman ending in 2010. During his longstanding career, Ernest worked for federal agencies under the United States Department of Interior such as the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the National Park Service. While serving in various capacities, Ernest worked for the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe for over 50 years and was a representative on many national and statewide organizations. During his political tenure, he assisted in the creation of tribal health facilities in Colorado, New Mexico and Utah, testified in Congress on the Dolores and Animas La Plata Water Projects, advocated for more public safety on Indian lands, and was a continuous supporter for tribal business and enterprise. Mr. House brought a rich heritage and tradition to his position as the grandson of Chief Jack House who was the last traditional Chief of the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe. He continued this proud legacy through service and leadership at the national, state, and local levels for the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe. Surviving Ernest are his father, Thomas House Sr. of Towaoc; his children, Michelle House of Gilbert, Ariz., Jaque House Lopez and husband, Marcus of Casa Grande, Ariz., and Ernest House, Jr. and wife, Jennette of Aurora, Colo.; his grandchildren, Keland Boggs, Jack Baer, Garrett Lopez, Kale House, and Colbie House; and by numerous brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews. He was highly respected by his family and tribal members. Memorial contributions may be made to the Ernest House Sr. Memorial Scholarship Fund at the Dolores State Bank.