Ernest McGarva

ERNEST KELLY McGARVA

Ernest Kelly McGarva aka Ernie was born on September 21st, 1956, at the Sacred Heart Hospital in Medford, Oregon. Six white horses took this Likely cowboy to the pearly gates on March 26th,2025.

Ernie was the second born son to Earlene Pearl Longmire and Irvin Robert McGarva.

Ernie was raised in Jess Valley and Likely CA, which he called his home. Having spent some childhood in Medford OR and Oakland CA he wanted to return to Likely CA. In his younger years he would spend time with his great grandparents Margaret (Maggie Rae) and Douglas McGarva on their small ranch. He talked of stories and would mimic their Scottish brogue when he tested their patience. Ernie was a third generation family member of the Douglas McGarva ranching family of Likely, CA.

In later years he spent much of his time being raised in Jess Valley on the Warren Flounory cattle ranch residing with his grandparents Burt and Mary McMullan. He attended elementary school in Likely and went on to graduate high school from Modoc Union High School, Alturas CA in 1974. While in high school he would serve as Class President and was also the Quarterback of the football team.

Ernie had a love for horses, and this led him to his first job starting and breaking horses at the ripe age of 12 years old for Nelson Monroe at the Corporation Ranch in Likely CA. Also, he talked of turning haybales over in the fields for pennies of the dollar. Throughout his boyhood he possessed an uncanny ability when it came to riding unbroken colts and spoiled horses. He rode and broke horses for local ranches around the surrounding area, bronc busting raunchy horses' others would not touch. He became a hardworking accomplished horseshoer/farrier. Many times, shoeing horses all day long. Some of his best days consisted of working as ranch hand moving cattle in Jess Valley, roping and branding cattle in the springtime, feeding and calving in the wintertime throughout the night. He was always content out in the barn or on the range with his horses. His favorite horses were a bay named Jug, a dapple gray named Grady, a sorrel named Buster; a buckskin named Buck and two special ones were two roping horses named Hezekiah and Charlie hence the names of his sons.

At the age of 17 Ernie participated in a team roping event in Oakdale CA which was quite an accomplishment for someone so young. In the early 70's Ernie was the captain of the "Cowboys" in the Likely Roping Club where he won a trophy buckle and at the same time his daughter was the winner of the peewee barrel racing and won a buckle as well. Ernie was a competitive team roper as that was his passion and throughout his lifetime has won trophy buckles and monetary prizes. His son and grandsons have carried on his tradition as working cowboys and ropers to this day.

A couple of his other occupations were "pulling chain" in the Pollack Pines with his uncle Johnny Wayne McMullan. He has also loaded and unloaded cattle on to airplanes at the Sea Tac airport in Seattle, WA on their way to China at which he stated was quite "dandy". He worked on a racehorse ranch in Tenio, WA and drove a lumber truck in Reno, NV.

Ernie had spent the last 15 years of his life helping raise his grandchildren in Klamath Falls OR and Adel OR. until he was not able to do so any longer. He drove the kids to school in his van called the "Hoopty" and he was called their "bus driver" listening to old classic country music. He enjoyed handing down advice to his grandsons working with their horses and roping techniques. He was very proud of all his grandchildren and all their accomplishments.

Ernie leaves behind one daughter and two sons. Daughter Sammie Rae McGarva (Charlie Case); granddaughters Mattie Rae Westlake, Paytn Rae Westlake and Hallie Rae McGarva (Klamath Falls, OR). Son Hezzie Keil McGarva (Kati), grandsons Damian Eagle Little Feather McGarva (Chico CA); Thomas Edson McGarva and Hazen Blake McGarva Plush, OR granddaughters Maggie Rae McGarva (Sheridan, Wyoming) and Mayka May McGarva (Lakeview, OR) and youngest son Charlie Joseph McGarva (Denver, CO).

Two sisters, Ervalee McGarva (Medford, OR) and Geraldine McGarva (Likely, CA). Brother Russell McGarva (Burney, CA) Uncles John Wayne McMullan (Lovelock NV) and Kenny Bert McMullan (Reno NV). He has numerous nieces and nephews, relatives and many friends in Modoc County and surrounding area.

Ernie was preceded in death by mother Earlene Pearl Longmire and father Irvin Robert McGarva; brothers William Robert McGarva (aka Billy Bob); Milton McGarva (Yogi); Quirt McGarva; Casey McGarva; Dewey McGarva, and grandson Quirt Hez McGarva, Uncles William (aka Billy) Longmire; Douglas McGarva and Aunt Janice McGarva Tarp. Maternal grandmother Violet and Charlie Moore;

Betty Driscoll and Sip Longmire. Paternal grandmother Mary and Bert McMullan.

"You'll ride a black tornado across the western sky, rope that old blue northern and milk it till it's dry, bulldog the Mississippi pin its ears down flat long before you take this Cowboys Hat".

- Chris LeDoux

A memorial will be held at the Strong Family Health Center Saturday April 5th, 2025 at 10:00 am. Internment to follow at the Likely Cemetery, Likely, CA. Lunch provided at the Strong Family Health Center 1203 Oak Street Alturas, CA.