Dr. Eugenio Hernandez, 86, and his wife Mary Ellen Hernandez, 65, of Victoria, went to be with the Lord on Monday, November 25, 2024. The married couple of 44 years were involved in a fatal car crash outside of Chilton, Texas, while driving to visit their family for the Thanksgiving holiday. Eugenio passed away at the scene of the accident, while Mary Ellen later passed at Baylor Scott and White Medical Center—Hillcrest in Waco.
Dr. Hernandez was born on May 26, 1938, in Aranzazu, Caldas, Colombia, to parents Eugenio Hernandez and Margarita Ardila Hernandez. He graduated from the prestigious University of Antioquia Medical School in Medellin in 1962 and immigrated to the U.S. in the same year. In 1966, one year shy of completing his residency, he was drafted into the U.S. Navy, where he served as a lieutenant in the Medical Corps during the Vietnam War. On Dec. 10, 2010, he became a U.S. citizen. He retired in 2017 after serving more than 50 years in the medical practice.
Mary Ellen was born to Hilario (Lalo) and Guadalupe (Lupe) Morales on March 8, 1959, in Victoria, TX. She graduated from Stroman High School in 1977, where she was the Drum Major for the Raider Marching Band. She later attended Victoria College and began a career as a phlebotomist. She met Eugenio Hernandez in 1979 while working at Citizens Memorial Hospital. The two married in 1980 and raised three boys. Mary Ellen retired from Retama Manor Nursing Center in 2022, where she worked as Human Resources Administrator for 25 years.
Eugenio and Mary Ellen are survived by their children Christopher Hernandez (Micah), Joshua Hernandez (Celine) and Justin Hernandez (Katelynn); grandchildren Vance, Preslee, Annelise, Samuel and Michael; brother, Larry Morales; sisters, Margarita Ardila Lizarazo, Consuelo (Connie) Paxton and Virginia Olguin; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Eugenio is preceded in death by his brother, Alvaro Hernandez and parents, Eugenio and Margarita Ardila Hernandez. Mary Ellen is preceded in death by her sister, Esmerlda (Ruby) Ochoa and parents, Lalo and Lupe Morales.
A visitation will be held on Friday, December 13, 2024, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Colonial Funeral Home in Victoria. A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, December 14, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. at Faith Family Church in Victoria with Pastor Larry Helms officiating.
Thoughts and memories may be shared at www.colonialfuneralhomevictoria.com.
