Alfredo O. Hernandez

 

Our Dad was born on August 5, 1944. He died on July 21, 2023, at the age of 78. He was the pride and joy of Francisco and Carolina Hernandez. He was raised by parents that lived during the Great Depression. Some of our family ancestors lived in Texas, before Texas was Texas. Our dad met Ophelia “Faye” Lara and married her in 1962. He drove an old Chevy from Gregory to San Antonio where her family was working at a dairy farm to propose marriage and drove back home to Gregory. The next day, our dad and mom, along with our parental grandparents, went back to San Antonio to make arrangements with her parents for a marriage.  It was young love that produced 4 children, Alfredo Jr, Ramiro, Daniel, and the pride of his life, Victoria.

He worked as an independent truck driver, then at Coast Materials in Aransas Pass, where he retired. He had several good friends: Luis Santos, Joe Moreno, Emilio Pena, and Freddy Brown, and many, many more.

Our Dad provided shelter, food, guidance, love, and stability until we were grown adults. He then let us live our lives without interference unless we asked for his help and counsel.

Our Dad was 6 feet 3 inches and weighed 225 pounds and was very athletic. He was an archer, fisherman, and also a baseball player who pitched in semi-pro baseball league.  One time, he took us to the Buccaneer Carnival, he paid $1 for 3 baseballs to try and break a 45 record (small disk). He was able to break the record in 1 throw and won a big prize. He was not allowed to play anymore. He was also a great swimmer who taught his children how to swim by throwing them in the water and saying “swim!” and we did!!  He also rescued two men who were drowning, while on vacation at Big Bend National Park. He was our hero.

Our Dad made mistakes as everybody does and did not always do what we thought was right, but the one thing he always did was love us unconditionally. I know we disappointed him at times, but he never wavered in his love for his children and the love of his life, our mother, Faye.  His children grew up, married and have children, and some of those children had children. He always asked about them all the time because he loved them all.  We will miss him until we see him again.

Our dad is survived by his children:

Alfredo Jr (Suzie), Samantha, Stephanie, and Alfredo III

Ramiro (Lisa), Ramiro Jr (3 great grandchildren), Yuri, and Kris

Daniel (Emily), Ryan (2 great grandchildren), Nathan (4 great grandchildren), Joshua, and Amber

Victoria (Daniel) Garcia, Adam (2 great grandchildren) and Alec (5 great grandchildren) Luna, Joseph, Eric, and Belicia (Bella)

He is also survived by his sister in laws and their husbands, Mary Lou and Emilio Pena, Carmen and Freddy Brown, and Felipe (Andrea) Lara.

We would also like to acknowledge and thank our brother Ramiro and his family, for taking care of our father for the last two years of his life.

Visitation will be held Tuesday, July 25, 2023 from 5:00-7:00 p.m. with a Rosary to be recited at 7:00 p.m. that same evening at Winsteads’ Funeral Home in Portland. A funeral mass will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, July 26, 2023 at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Gregory. Interment will follow at the Gregory Cemetery.

Arrangements are under the direction and personal care of the professionals at Winsteads’ Funeral Home. (361) 643-6564 www.winsteadsfuneralhome.com