John’s family moved to Saint Gabriel in 1930. He attended and graduated from Saint Gabriel High School on May 30, 1945.
John was inducted in the U.S. Army of Occupation in September, 1945. He took his basic training at Fort Lewis, Washington and his medical technician training at Fort Sam Houston, Texas. On August 3, 1946 he was transferred to Japan and was assigned to the 172nd Station Hospital in Sendai, Japan. He was promoted to Sergeant Major of the hospital until he was sent to the U.S. in 1947 for discharge.
He started his banking career with The City National Bank of Baton Rouge. During John’s training there, he attended The American Institute of Banking classes in the evenings, and later served as president of the Baton Rouge Chapter of The Institute. John was also a graduate of The L.S.U. School of Banking of the South.
In August of 1956 City National Bank opened a branch in the University Shopping Center and John was branch manager there for 20 years. He transferred to the Jefferson Highway Branch as Manager and Vice-President. He retired in 1986.
He was active in many church, civic and cultural organizations his entire life, a few of which include Magnolia Mound, Old State Capitol, McIlhenny Foundation, Knights of Columbus and Pennington Biomedical Foundation.
He is survived by his loving Bride of 53 years, Pauline Bondy Hernandez. He is also survived by a sister, Mrs. Ronald Mandel (Lillie Mae Hernandez) and husband Ronald Mondel, sister-in-law Mrs. James Hernandez of Shreveport, Louisiana and many nieces and nephews.
John was preceded in death by his Father, Mother and sister Rosemary (Sister Mary Hilary Hernandez), and his four brothers Nolan, Robert Jr., James, and Charles.
John often expressed sincere gratitude and appreciation for all of the help and assistance given to him and Polly by friends and extended family over the years.
Services are to be held on Monday, May 29, 2023 at Saint Agnes Catholic Church, 715 East Blvd, Baton Rouge, La. Visitation is to begin at 8:30 a.m. to be followed by a funeral service at 10 a.m., celebrated by Father Miles Walsh. Arrangements handled by Rabenhorst Funeral Home.
Pallbearers are Gerald Hernandez, Mike Harelson, Larry Hernandez, Douglas Hernandez, Garrett Hill, Jacob Harelson and Matthew Saia. Honorary Pallbearers are David Shirley, Guy Koontz, Charles Beau Bondy, David Bondy, Richard Bondy, Leo Bergreen, James Rolfs.
In lieu of flowers, John preferred donations be made to St. Agnes Catholic Church of Baton Rouge or to Pennington Biomedical Foundation for the John Henry Hernandez Professorship.
Interment is to be at Roselawn Cemetery, Baton Rouge at a later date.
