Joseph Hernandez

1949 - 2016

Joseph L. Hernandez
April 27, 1949 - July 21, 2016
Joseph L. Hernandez, Ph.D., of Modesto, passed away suddenly and unexpectedly in Southern California on July 21, 2016, at the age of 67. Joe was born on April 27, 1949, in Brawley, California, to Manuel ("Nel") and Georgia ("Goya") Hernandez. In his early years, the family moved around California while his parents worked as itinerant farm workers. Joe's father then worked as a construction laborer, and the family lived in Sunnyvale and then moved to their own home in Santa Clara, where Joe graduated from Wilcox High School in 1967. Joe moved to Modesto in 2001 to be near his grandchildren.
Education was important to Joe, and he was passionate about helping people live emotionally healthy and fulfilling lives. He received his B.A. in pastoral care from San Jose Bible College (now Jessup University). While working for the Social Security Administration, Joe attended Santa Clara University part time and eventually earned a Master's degree in counseling psychology. With encouragement from his wife, he applied to a psychology doctoral program and graduated from the California School for Professional Psychology (now part of Alliant University) with a Ph.D. in 1990. While a student, Joe was trained in a program called Family Wellness: Survival Skills for Healthy Families. With his education and Family Wellness training, he served countless individuals, couples, and families through his clinical psychology practice, first in San Jose and then in Salida, California. Joe, along with his wife, trained many facilitators across the country to teach the Family Wellness model to families in their own communities. Joe loved writing and was so excited to have had a book published by Norton. Additionally, he wrote the "Family Matters" column for Visión Magazine.
Joe was also passionate about his faith and belief in Jesus Christ. He showed this passion through the life he lived. Over the years, he served as a volunteer in various churches leading Bible studies, teaching Sunday School to children, teens, and adults, and doing whatever was needed. He was a willing listener, gifted counselor, and effective mentor for many.
Another area of passion for Joe was his family. As a husband and father, he worked hard to provide for his family. He showed his love in both words and actions. He loved to watch his son, Joel, pitch and play first base throughout his school years and even into adulthood. He and his wife still enjoyed date nights and, in fact, had just spent a few days acting like kids at Disneyland. When Joe's grandchildren, Jacob and Jessica, came along, they brought so much joy and love into his life. He enjoyed giving them "horsey" rides on his back, then later attending their sporting events and other activities. He was so proud of both of them and of his son, Joel, and daughter-in-law, Kim.
Joe was an avid San Francisco Giants fan and appreciated that the team finally won the World Series, and three times at that! He sewed his own clothing in his younger years, and he loved gardening, especially growing fruit and vegetables and tending to his roses. He also enjoyed photography.
Friends, colleagues, and loved ones have described their memories of Joe in various ways. "I continue to think of Joe's smile and gentle approach." "Joe was a good man who made a big difference in our lives by loving God and loving us." "There were not very many men in this world that I respected more than Joe." "We are so glad we had Joe as our friend." "Joe was a great mentor and friend." "He was a special, special person, and I know he will be missed by so many." "We loved Joe and appreciated him so much." "Joe was always a calming influence." "He was such a kind and gentle man." "We all loved Joe so very much! His kind, loving spirit will live in our hearts forever."
Joe was preceded in death by his parents, his beloved sister, Angelita "Chacha" Hernandez, his nephew, Santiago O'Brien, and his grand niece, Paige Cook.
Joe is survived by his loving wife of 47 years, Michelle, his son, Joel, and daughter-in-law Kim, and two grandchildren, Jacob and Jessica; his brother, Manuel R. Hernandez (Josie), and his sister, Virginia "Quina" Sapien (Sam); his brothers-in-law, Steven and David Manske (Laurie), and his sisters-in-law, Melissa Manske, Deana O'Brien, (Bill), and Dixie Manske (Pat). He is also survived by his nephews, Joseph Hernandez (Jackie), Juan Hernandez, Skyler Williams, Benjamin O'Brien, and niece, Katrina Cook (Brett), as well as 15 grand nieces and nephews.
A Memorial Celebration of Joe's life will be held on Friday, August 5, at 11 a.m., at The Durrer Barn, 3500 Dunn Road, Modesto. Donations, in memory of the life and work of Joseph L.Hernandez, may be made to the National Association of Relationship and Marriage Education (NARME), online at www.narme.org, or P.O. Box 14946, Tallahassee, FL 32317.
The sentiments of Joe's Family Wellness colleagues and friends describe him well: "Joe will be missed by everyone who knew him. We were fortunate to have him in our lives for so many years. He was a very special person." May we all leave such a legacy.
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