Dewayne Anthony Hernandez

As the new day dawned, Dewayne Anthony Hernandez, 43, quietly stepped into his new eternal life on Friday, January 03, 2014. He fought his battle against cancer with courage and now is resting with his Savior Jesus Christ.

Rosary will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 7 at 7:00 p.m. at Johnson Funeral Chapel. Funeral mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 8 at St. Mary’s Church with interment to follow in Belvedere Cemetery.

Carrying our beloved Dewayne to his final resting place will be his cousins Gerald Perez, Michael Lynn Medina, Adrian Medina, Jacob Medina, Daniel Cruz II, and Isaiah Fuentes.

Dewayne was born on September 14, 1970 in San Angelo, Texas. He attended several schools all over the state. But when asked about his home, he would simply respond, "I am from Texas." The family returned to San Angelo where Dewayne attended Lee Jr. High. He played football until he was injured his 9th grade year. He wanted to quit and when asked why he played, he would say, "Cause of my brother!" He graduated from Central High in 1989 during which time he discovered his love of music by playing the saxophone in the Mighty Bobcat band. Dewayne was a member of the St. Mary’s Catholic Church youth group which inspired him to volunteer for summer missionary work. He loved it so much he seriously considered priesthood. He decided to pursue one of his lifetime dreams of becoming a fashion designer and moved to Miami in January, 1990. Dewayne graduated from Miami International Fine Arts College with a degree in fashion merchandising in 1993. Though simultaneously working several places, he still was able to successfully participate in numerous fashion shows in Miami. Eventually, Dewayne was placed in charge of all visual designs within various stores. He worked for Jimmy Choo, Saks, and eventually hired as the Store Manager for Schedoni, an Italian leather goods store. His retail buying trips led to the fulfillment of one of his biggest dreams of traveling to Europe. His self-prophecy of “I am going there one day!” came true. He also dreamed of working for a “Fashion Guru.” Dewayne was hired by Ralph Lauren in 2009 and became a Top Salesman. We will miss his big smile and sense of humor. For those of us who were at the brunt of his straightforwardness and candor, we were challenged to live our lives with courage and stand down our fears despite what others might think of our decisions. Dewayne believed in making dreams come true and often inspired others to do the same. He would often say, “Do what you have to do today because tomorrow may never come.”

Dewayne was preceded in death by his cousin Sonya Medina, maternal grandparents Jose and Eloisa Medina, paternal grandmother Helen Fitchett, stepfather Santos Gutierrez, and Aunt Frances Perez.

Dewayne is survived by his mother Esther Gutierrez, brother Donald Hernandez, Jr., life partner, Andy Loo, Andy’s sister Dee, father Donald Hernandez, Sr., Uncles Miguel Angel Medina (wife Lady Ann), Jose Miguel Medina (wife Marla), Jesse Perez, and Joseph Garza (wife Kim); Aunts Gloria Medina, Carol Jimenez, Patsy Marquez (husband Salvador), Leticia Cruz (husband Daniel), and Norma Fuentes (husband Frank). Additionally, Dewayne is survived by his eighteen “favorite” cousins who will treasure their own “Dewayne” memories made from family birthday celebrations to family weddings to sleeping on Grandma’s living room floor in anticipation of opening Christmas presents! While time has passed, the memories last a lifetime.

Family and friends may sign the online registry book at johnsons-funeralhome.com.