Hector was born on November 8, 1955 to Hector Garcia Serna and Emilia De La Garza. He was the oldest of two children and loved his little and favorite-aka only-sister, Janie. He grew up on the outskirts of Lubbock and graduated from Shallowater High School. He married Elma Alfaro and after high school moved to San Juan, Edinburg and Houston. He graduated from PanAm University with a bachelors degree and then they returned to Lubbock where he would live for the remainder of his life. He worked at the Texas Department of Transportation for 30 years, retiring in 2012.
During his almost 20 year marriage, he was blessed with eight children whom were truly his pride and joy. He loved bragging and telling anyone and everyone about all of his kids and later his grandkids and great grandson. In 1999, he met and married Alice Martinez, who was his sweetheart to the end. He was also blessed with two stepchildren that he loved as his own.
Hector loved all things Texas. He loved the history and sharing facts about it. He loved watching sports and rooting for the Texas teams. His favorite sport to watch was baseball and loved cheering on the Astros and Rangers and discussing it with his dad and sister. He loved learning and reading and encouraged those habits in his children. He loved chatting with everyone he met and making them all feel special and like they had known each other for years. He would try to talk to all his family at least once a week and loved sending cards for birthdays, holidays and just because. You could count on a phone call first thing in the morning on your birthday with him singing Happy Birthday which always made us smile and something we looked forward to. His faith and love for the Lord were a top priority to him saying that was the only thing above his wife and children.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Hector and Emilia, his daughter Angela, nephew Brandon and many other close family. He leaves behind his wife, Alice, sister Janie (Dennis) Squire and children Robert (Julie) Serna, Lisa Serna, Sandii (Paul) Hiatt, Julie (Clint) Gray, Jonathan Serna, Andrew Serna, Peter Serna and step children Ruben Martinez and Darlene Smith as well as 16 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild. He was a wonderful man, brother, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather who will be greatly missed by all who knew him. He leaves a big hole in our hearts but a great legacy of love and family.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.resthavenfuneralhome.com for the Serna family.
