Fernando Hector Hernandez

EL PASO – Major Fernando H. Hernandez, U.S. Army Reserve retired, born 21 December 1941, was called to heaven on 14 January 2025 at the age of 83. Born to the late Marcos Hernandez and Guadalupe “Lupe” Hernandez Taylor, Fernie was a beloved son, brother, father, grandfather and uncle.

 Fernie is survived by his two children, Diane Sherman, of Seattle, Washington and Colonel Drysdale “Dale” Hernandez (USAF Retired) and daughter-in-law, Lieutenant Colonel Kim Robinson (USAF Retired) of Savannah, Georgia. He is also survived by one granddaughter, Courtney Sherman of Portland, Oregon.

He was a proud and beloved brother to Rachel Alcala and predeceased by his older brother Sergeant Marcos “Mickey” Hernandez, United States Marine Corps (USMC). 

Fernie was raised in El Paso, Texas and graduated from Bowie High School in 1961 and entered the Marine Corps later that year. He left active duty from the Marines as a Sergeant and served in the Marine Corps Reserve from 1965 to 1971 and then transferred to the Navy Reserve where he served from 1973 to 1981. During that time, he began serving as a civil servant at Fort Bliss, Texas while also pursuing a degree. In May of 1978, he earned his Bachelor of Science in Education Degree from the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP). He was commissioned as a an officer in the United States Army Reserve in July 1981 where he proudly served as a Military Intelligence officer from 1981 until 1995.

While serving in the Army his field of expertise was counterintelligence, anti-terrorism and security which provided him the opportunity to serve at United States Southern Command in Panama, as well as Fort Huachuca, Arizona, Fort Meade, Maryland and Fort Bliss, Texas. In his civilian role he served as the Chief, Security Division for the Directorate of Plans, Training Mobilization and Security at Fort Bliss. He then took on role of Chief of Security for the Drug Enforcement Agency at the El Paso Intelligence Center in El Paso, Texas. In all, he faithfully served his nation for over forty-five years.

Fernie was a life-long UTEP Miners fan and a season ticket holder for over 40 years.

Visitation: Monday, 3 February 2025 from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM with Vigil/Rosary at 6:00 PM at Sunset Funeral Home, 4631 Hondo Pass, El Paso, TX 79904. Funeral Service: Tuesday, 4 February 20025 at Sunset Funeral Home. Internment with Army Military Honors to follow at Fort Bliss National Cemetery.