Judge Alfred J. Hernandez Sr.

JUDGE ALFRED J. HERNANDEZ, SR. passed peacefully in the presence of his family on Saturday, September 4, 2010.He was born to Jose Hernandez and Josefina Guzman de Hernandez in Mexico City, D.F., Mexico on August 23, 1917. His family immigrated to Houston in 1921, where he grew up in the old Fifth Ward near downtown Houston, and graduated from Jefferson Davis High School in 1935. Following graduation from high school, he became a watchmaker under his father's tutelage. At St. Patrick's Church, he married Minnie Casas on April 26, 1942. He entered the US Army in 1943 and served during World War II in North Africa, Sicily, Italy, and France. Although trained in ordinance, he became an interpreter of Italian and French because of his ability to easily pick up languages. While in service in Italy, he became a naturalized American citizen.On his return to Houston from World War II, he attended the University of Houston and then South Texas Law School at night while engaged in several businesses to support his family. After receiving his law degree, he started his solo practice of law in 1953. In 1960, he was appointed as a judge in the Houston Municipal Courts, making him the first Hispanic to preside as a judge in Harris County since Texas became a state. He continued to serve until 1970. In his later years of practice, he was appointed alternate judge in the Harris County Criminal Courts at Law and in the County Juvenile Courts. He continued to practice law into his 80s.In addition to his legal career, upon his return from the War, he became involved in the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), and served in multiple local, state, and national positions. He served as national LULAC Counsel, and was eventually elected as national President of LULAC for three terms. In his work with LULAC, he was instrumental in establishing the "Little School of the 400", which was the basis for the Head Start Program, championed by "Lady Bird" Johnson, and signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson. He was invited to the signing of the bill by President Johnson, and dined at the White House. In addition, he was the founder and Chairman of the Board of SER-Jobs for Progress, Inc ., a job opportunities program.He is preceded in death by his father, mother, and his son, John Joseph Hernandez. He is survived by his wife; children Dr. Alfred J. Hernandez, Jr. and wife Kathleen Hernandez, Anna Juarez and fiancé Michael Bowlin; grandchildren Katelena Hernandez Cowles and husband Jay Cowles, Marc Hernandez and wife Angela Milliman, Matthew Juarez, Lucas Juarez, Elizabeth Hernandez; great-grandchildren Emily Torrance, Celia Cowles, Edwin Barnhart, Gabriel Cowles, Eleanor Barnhart, Kyan Hernandez Chen; sisters Hope Holguin, Amelia Mireles; brother Augustin Hernandez; and numerous extended family members.The family wishes to express heartfelt thanks to the staff of the Colonial Oaks Assisted Living Facility and Grace Hospice for the loving care they gave to him.The family will receive friends from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Thursday, September 9, 2010 at Forest Park Lawndale Funeral Home with a rosary recited a 7 p.m. Funeral Mass will be 10 a.m. Friday, September 10, 2010 at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, 4918 Cochran, Houston, TX 77009. Interment at Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery