Ruben Virgilio Hernandez

On Sunday, November 22, 2020, Reverend Ruben Virgilio Hernández, formerly of Houston, Texas, closed his eyes in Round Rock, Texas and opened them again in Glory. Now in the presence of the Savior he served for 40 years, he rejoices alongside his family who preceded him in Glory; parents Carlos & Amalia Hernández; brothers Carlos (and wife Chene), Humberto, and Hector Hernández; sister Noemí Hernández Gonzales; as well as two newborn siblings he is meeting for the first time.

Ruben was a beloved father to his two sons Ruben “Ben” Hernández, Jr. and Joel Hernández, the “FFIL” (favorite father-in-law) to Heather Newbill Hernández, and “Grandpa” to Steven and Nicole Huebner and their daughter Madison. He is also survived by former wife Evangeline Hernández and by his brothers Oscar (and wife Minnie), Jonathan (and wife Lydia), and Samuel (and wife Celia) Hernández, as well as their children, who all loved their Uncle Ruben tremendously.

Ruben graduated as a proud University of Texas Longhorn in 1953 and soon laid aside his pre-med studies to begin his life’s calling as a minister of the Gospel of Jesus after marrying Evangeline in 1957. Ruben dutifully served several churches throughout the state of Texas as primary or interim pastor in a ministry that lasted four decades, shepherding churches in Houston, Bay City, Stafford, Edinburg, McAllen, Abilene, and Corpus Christi.

Ruben also was honored to bring God’s Word to countless other congregations both in church settings as well as on foreign mission trips. The Lord used him to minister extensively to residents of the state of Texas and to deliver a message of Good News on occasion to residents of Chicago, Oklahoma, Mexico City, Chihuahua, and to various church ministries in Panama, El Salvador, and Australia, among other locales.

He spent several years at the Baptist General Convention of Texas as a photographer for The Baptist Standard monthly publication and as the Editor of its Spanish-language counterpart El Bautista Mexicano.

Ruben spent the final years of his work life continuing to serve: he processed new cases for the local office of Family Protective Services and provided valuable translation services that helped the office better service Houston’s Hispanic communities.

He was a man who loved wordplay, jokes, baseball, and above all, proclaiming the name of Jesus. There have been countless souls God impacted through his life’s ministry. That is his greatest legacy and that is what Ruben would want you to remember most about his time on this Earth.

Born in Piedras Negras, Mexico on December 17, 1931, Ruben will be laid to rest on what would have been his 89th birthday, December 17, 2020. Services will be at Brookside Funeral Home at 13747 Eastex Freeway, Houston, TX 77039 beginning at 2:00 PM on December 17, with graveside interment to immediately follow. Visitation will be the preceding night, December 16, from 6:00–8:00 PM. Written condolences may be sent to 4601 Tiffany Nicole Street, Round Rock, TX 78665.