Manuel R. Hernandez

At the very young age of 17 years old and with only an 8th grade education, Manuel found himself, like many others, attracted to the recruitment posters and speeches which offered a great future to young men willing to serve their country. Manuel’s father had just passed away, leaving his mother in financial need and Manuel at a life altering crossroad. On December 24, 1948, Manuel enlisted without any hesitation, leaving behind the simple world of a 17-year-old. What started out as an opportunity to provide for his mother turned into an extraordinary achievement, serving our great country for 22 years and having survived tours in the Korean and Vietnam war. Master Sergeant Manuel R. Hernandez retired from the United States Army in 1971. Upon retirement from the military, Manuel spent the next 25 years as a State Meat Inspector, after which he fully retired from the workforce to spend time with his wife, children and grandchildren. His dedication as a husband and father was incomparable. He raised his children to be honorable, hard-working, and united; he settled for nothing less of those values. He was proud beyond measure of the family he and his wife raised.

As his children grew older and began families of their own, Manuel found himself in the most entertaining role of his life: being a grandfather. Every grandchild’s personality is drastically different from the next but somehow each a reflection of him. He played an active role in every grandchild’s life and took great honor in being their grandfather. Manuel had an endless supply of funny stories about each grandchild and rest assured he reminded them, with an enormous smile, every chance he got.

Manuel’s passion to make a difference in lives was not limited to his family. Manuel was humble, wise and always willing to help anyone in need which is why it would be no surprise to his children if they walked into his home to find a distant relative or neighbor seated at his kitchen table asking for advice. Many important conversations occurred with him seated at the head of the table with the infamous pen in hand and post-it notes nearby.

Shortly after his retirement from the State, he found himself needing something to put his energy into. With that came the birth of his dream ranch, the place we all know as “El Ranchito”. Manuel and Guadalupe spent most of their retirement days tending to El Ranchito. His face lit up when giving the simplest details about a fruit tree or a sprouting seed, but nothing was as enjoyable to him as loading up the kids in the trailer and taking them for a tractor drive. El Ranchito was part of his daily routine, and we know that he will continue to visit in spirit, ensuring his cows (aka “the girls”) are being looked after.

He once said, “I do not see myself as a hero; I had a job to serve and protect my country to the best of my abilities” - a statement he made about his military service that was also a reflection of who he was as a husband and father. What a legacy, what a life.

Manuel is preceded in death by his parents; siblings: Nicholas, Jose, Raymond and Maria.

He is survived by his loving wife of 64 years: Maria Guadalupe Hernandez; children: Ruben Hernandez, Diana Chavez and her husband William, Esther Delgado and her husband Ruben, Gloria Nolen and her husband Robert, Edward Hernandez and his wife Estela and Clara Sanders and her husband Gray; grandchildren: Erika, Ruben A., Monica, Ruben E., Timothy, Edward Andrew and Kevin; great-grandchildren: Alejandro, Angelica, Gavin, Madilyn, Max, and Kaileyrose. Manuel will also be forever remembered by his numerous nieces, nephews, extended family members and friends.

Visitation will be held on June 9, 2021 from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., with the The Recitation of The Holy Rosary at 7:00 p.m. On June 10, 2021 the Funeral Procession will depart at 10:45 a.m. for a 11:30 a.m. Requiem Mass at St. John Neumann, with interment to follow at Delgado Cemetery.