Charles Ernest “Ernie” Cobleigh died in the early morning in Los Alamitos, California on November 29th, 2025. Though he had been in the hospital for two weeks, his death was unexpected and a deep shock to his family, who miss him dearly. He was 77 years old.

Ernie was born in Fresno, California on October 26th, 1948, the only child to his late parents Percy Edwin Cobleigh and May Bess Barr. At the age of 15 he moved to Long Beach, California, meeting his wife Dolores Linda Cobleigh (Olveda) at Long Beach Polytechnic High School. Engaged before the end of their senior year, their yearbook was full of well-wishes for a happy marriage, and they were wed in the late spring of 1967 on May 25th.

Their first child, Theresa Marie Anderson (Marten) was born on August 10th of the same year, and they completed their family with the birth of their son Charles Ernest “Charlie” Cobleigh on November 29th, 1969.

Ernie spent most of his professional career as a carpenter with the Texaco Oil Refinery. This he did for over twenty years before endeavoring upon self-employment ventures, including window and door carpentry and a topiary business. He retired in his early 60s and fully settled into his “grumpy” phase, becoming a textbook but loving curmudgeon.

After his retirement, he would go often to the “office” (card club) to play blackjack. He also enjoyed a hearty habit of betting on all manner of sports- until his bookie died. Before his leisure years, he loved playing golf, billiards, and skeet shooting. He was also in a bowling league.

He was loyal to Coors Light. He was an avid watcher of the news, often commenting on political segments with swearing. He could be counted on to closely monitor the weather for family across the country, so much so that a call from him was always expected when the weather turned sour. He carried exceedingly too much cash on his person. He was always the first to cry at weddings, birthdays, and other sentimental occasions. There are not sufficient words to encompass the person that he was, nor to measure the extent of his affection for those he loved.

Ernie was preceded in death by his parents, his son Charlie, and his father-in-law, George Olveda. His mother-in-law, Antonia “Toni” Olveda died shortly after Ernie’s own passing, dying in the evening of the 29th.

He is survived by his wife of 58 years, his daughter, his son-in-law, and five grandchildren: Ryan Cobleigh (Philip Sieverding), Brandon Cobleigh, Jillian Cobleigh, Holli Safran (Tylor), and Haleigh Anderson-Alt (Katie).

There will be a joint celebration of life for Ernie and Toni on Sunday, December 14th, 2025 at the American Legion (Post 716) at 3252 Florista Street in Los Alamitos, CA from 1 – 4 PM. 

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