Ruben "Ben" Virgilio Hernandez Jr.

Ruben “Ben” Virgilio Hernandez Jr. was born and sang his first notes on September 28, 1958 to Ruben Sr. (who preceded him in death last November) and Isabelle Evangeline Hernandez. Among the oldest of his cousins, “Ruby'' or “Junior” was a favorite cousin on both sides of the family and was often the ringleader of his generation’s merriment and mischief. Even as a kid, he had a personality that brought life, joy, and fun to family gatherings—qualities he never outgrew.

As a teenager, he participated in many local and state level organizations of Texas Hispanic Baptist youth. It seemed that wherever he went, people gravitated to him and he often held leadership positions in church and school organizations.

After graduating from Alief Hastings High School in 1977, Ben enrolled at Houston Baptist University. There, he joined Alpha Pi Kappa fraternity and was elected to lead his Greek brothers. He left HBU just a few credits short of graduation to begin working full time. Nearly three decades later—only after first cheering on and supporting his mother and then his younger brother as they completed their degrees—would he then go on to finish his own bachelor’s degree, attending evening classes at LeTourneau University while still working full-time.

Ben’s leadership qualities also propelled him in his career: he worked four decades in Alief Independent School District’s Transportation Department, starting as a driver and dispatcher, and eventually earning a Supervisory position where he spent his remaining work years leveraging powerful servant leadership to enrich the environment and lives of his coworkers. Professional relationships formed in “the bus barn” brought about some of his most rewarding experiences and life-long friendships, including an introduction to a young man named Steven who would later join his family as his son.

Ben played the clarinet at Abilene High, but at the piano was where he truly excelled. A gifted pianist who learned to play by ear, Ben led worship even as a youth, sometimes setting the tone at the keyboard, and other times directing himnos at his father’s congregations. In his thirties, he began playing piano for the Coro Unido de Houston, a choir comprising voices from all over the city (and state); when his friend and choir director went home to Glory, Ben was asked to help conduct. The Coro (and other groups he served over his lifetime) gave him the opportunity to bring God’s message through song to audiences both domestic and international. Ruben loved music, he loved Jesus, and he seemed most at peace when he could serve the two passions at once.

In the last years of his life, as he was battling illnesses that caused his body to betray him, music would serve as his escape. It was not uncommon to find him listening to worship or gospel music as he rested after dialysis. When he was well enough, he would sit at the piano and pick over songs that he had commanded in younger days. Music was his way of connecting to and communing with the God whom he loved, bringing God his praises and griefs in song, and receiving comfort. Shortly after midnight on January 7, 2021, he exhaled a final time and took a new breath to sing in the choir he spent a lifetime training to join.

Ben is survived by his mother Isabelle Evangeline Hernandez, by his brother and sister-in-law Joel and Heather Hernandez, by his son & daughter and granddaughter Steven & Nicole Huebner and Madison Huebner, and by countless friends and family who loved him deeply and who celebrate his Homegoing.

We look forward to your leading our voices in unison again one day, dear Ruben!

Messages of condolence to the Hernandez and Huebner families may be sent to:

4601 Tiffany Nicole Street,

Round Rock, Texas 78665