Pedro and Nora Hernandez

Pedro “Pete” Hernandez & Nora Hernandez are together again, as they are reunited in their Heavenly Home. Pete, 93, passed away on November 27, 2023 and Nora passed away on August 12, 2024, at the age of 90. Pete was born on June 30, 1930, in Big Spring, Texas, to Pedro & Sesaria (Saldago) Hernandez. Born into a large family, he went out on his own at the very young age of 10. Traveling alone, he lived with families of other migrant workers, working in the fields to support himself and to help his family back home. At 12 years old, Pete helped his dad open a grocery store. He also sold fruit from a bicycle and earned enough money to purchase a truck for his dad. When he was a teenager, Pete supported himself by working in various restaurants and made his way to Dallas. He learned the value of hard work and perseverance at a young age, that carried him throughout his life. Nora was born on October 14, 1933, in Temple, Texas, to Ciprano & Santa (Sanchez) Cluke. She grew up in Dallas in a large family, and had a wonderful childhood. She attended Crozier Technical High School in Dallas. In 1949, Pete and Nora met during a wrestling match at the Dallas Sportitorium Arena, where Pete couldn’t take his eyes off of Nora. They quickly fell in love and Nora joked for years that she thought he was going to break his neck as he kept turning back to look at her the day they met. Pete always said that, for him, it truly was love at first sight. In 1950, they married and built a wonderful life together. Pete and Nora lived their lives to honor God. They were proud parents to eight children, who were their greatest treasures. Both Pete and Nora instilled in them a great work ethic, love for family and strong faith in the Lord. Shortly after starting their family, Pete gave his life to Jesus and he felt the calling to be a preacher. He became an Associate Pastor at the Latin American Free Methodist Church in West Dallas with his best friend the late Reverend Jesse Esquivel. Even while pastoring, Pete worked at Walraven Book Cover Company for 20 years. Pete felt he needed to do more to provide for his family so after much praying, he stepped away from pastoring to build a business, Pedro S. Hernandez Painting and Repairs. While he had clients both residential and commercial, the company flourished and excelled in the residential side of business and his clients, mainly in the Park Cities, became his friends. Although he left the ministry, which he loved dearly, he put all of his efforts into his new business and the company became very successful. Pete operated Pedro S. Hernandez Painting and Repairs for nearly 40 years, and retired in his late 70’s. Nora was a devoted and protective mother. She stayed at home with her children for several years before pursuing nursing school. Nora became a Licensed Vocational Nurse and was employed with Oak Cliff Medical and Surgical Hospital for many years. She then transferred to The Meadow Green Nursing Home in Dallas, where she retired as the Director of Nursing. Pete and Nora’s lives were intertwined as one, as they lived a life together blessing and serving others. Pete’s heart in sharing the Word of God in conjunction with Nora’s heart in helping others, weaved a beautiful life together. They were both so giving to others of their love and their time. Pete was focused on saving souls, while Nora was focused on saving lives. Pete was the romantic kind, always so thoughtful and devoted to Nora. Pete always loved singing and, as they were dating, Pete was working at a restaurant and would tie up the phone line on his breaks to call Nora and sing her Mexican love songs. He loved singing and continued to sing to Nora and the family for years to come, singing hymns nightly at the dinner table as he read the Bible. Nora always called Pete “Honey”, which turned into a fond nickname by the rest of the family, as his children always heard her call him that when they were young. They loved their time at home together at their lake house in Tool, Texas, with Pete out in his garden and Nora watching him from the window while she crocheted. They enjoyed cheering on the Dallas Cowboys, Texas Longhorns, and the Texas Rangers. Anything they could do together, they did; and they enjoyed. Pete and Nora had a strong love, where they appreciated one another and adored each other until the end. At the end of his life, Pete was Nora’s caretaker. Even while battling his own cancer, his devotion and desire to take care of Nora was ever-present. A few weeks before his passing, at the Fellowship Baptist Church in Seven Points, Texas, Pete ministered to the congregation, as he gave his testimony, and even gave an altar call. He shared his faith with anyone who would listen and wanted to let others know the power of God and prayer. Their children and grandchildren brought them an abundance of joy. Family gatherings were always lively, fun, and cherished. Pete and Nora instilled the importance of prayer in their children and grandchildren relentlessly over the years. They both lived an admirable, selfless life, and they leave behind a legacy of devotion, faithfulness, and perseverance that will be remembered for years to come. Together, they will be greatly missed by all who loved and knew them. In addition to their parents, they were preceded in death by their daughter Gloria Cavazos and her husband Jose; daughter-in-law, Olga Ybarbo Hernandez; four grandchildren, Jose Cavazos Jr, Joseph John Hernandez, Edward Cavazos, and Lisa Medina Hernandez; great-grand daughter Morgan Cavazos and great-grandson, Drew Hernandez; Pete’s siblings, Rodolfo Hernandez, Roberto Hernandez, Maria Hernandez, Celia Castillo, Nora’s siblings, Gloria Espinoza, Rudolph Cluke. Survived by children, Arthur Hernandez & spouse Flora, Nora Cavazos & spouse Israel, David Hernandez & spouse Mary, Sylvia Slajda, Alicia Lancaster & spouse Robert, Pete Hernandez and spouse Irene, Daniel Hernandez and spouse Mary Katherine. 17 Grandchildren and 20 Great grandchildren. Pedro’s siblings, Maggie Hernandez, Jose Hernandez, Alice Lewis, & Andrew Hernandez. Nora’s siblings Edward Cluke, Delores Osburn, Susan Esquivel & Geneva Esquivel.

A Celebration of Pete & Nora’s Lives will be held on Saturday, September 14th at 5:30 PM, at Sparkman Funeral Home, Richardson, Texas. To join the service via livestream, visit https://youtube.com/live/w7TUZA_XLRg?feature=share . Memorial donations may be made to the American Heart Association or American Cancer Society.