Francisco Xavier Hernández, Sr. 1936-2010. Hear that lonesome whippoorwill He sounds too blue to fly . . . On August 4, 2010, our beloved "Pop" was called away to his eternal home after a brief but valiant battle with cancer. Born in El Paso Texas on May 17, 1936, Francisco was named for the missionary Saint Francis Xavier. As a boy, Francisco attended Zavala Elementary and in 1954 he graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School. In 1960 he became a member of the El Paso Fire Department. Francisco proudly served El Paso, Texas the only home he ever knew for twenty-four years as a firefighter. Francisco lived by the credo of "Feo, Fuerte y Formal." His devotion to family and friends was without prejudice. He loved a good joke, a cold beer and another cold beer. He was bull and bullfighter, man and child, sinner and saint. He will be missed and never forgotten, for his simple plan was not one of a simple man. The paths to glory he paved remain manifest under our feet. O, cease to heed the glamour That blinds your foolish eyes, Look upward to the glitter Of stars in God's clear skies. Their ways are pure and harmless And will not lead astray, But aid your erring footsteps To keep the narrow way. And when the sun shines brightly Tend flowers that God has given And keep the pathway open That leads you on to heaven. R. Frost. He is preceded in death by his father Andres Gonzales Hernández, his mother Luisa Vásquez Hernández, brothers Andrew G. Hernández and Alfredo V. Hernández, and his beloved daughter Elizabeth Alice Hernández. He is survived by his wife Guadalupe D. Hernández, his children, MaryLou Hernández and Lety Hernández; two young men he raised as his own: Lorenzo Diaz, (Lizette) and David Diaz; grandchildren: Yazmin, Lyla. Francisco Xavier Hernández Jr., Alfredo Hernández, Patricia Hernández, Hector Hernández, Teresa Chavira, (Manuel) Joseph Hernández (Evelyn), eleven grandchildren: J.R. Rodriguez, Amber Hernández, Brian Michael, Jason Michael, Stephen Hutchison, Sean Hutchison, Geoffrey Hernández, Lisa Hernández, Alyssa Chavira, Jacob Chavira and Ava Hernández; four great-grandchildren: Trinity Anté, Shane Anté, Anja Rodriguez and Audrey Hernández; his sister Maria Luisa Lara and brother Gorgonio Hernández; and the woman he married in 1956, his lifelong friend and mother to seven of his children Armida H. Hernández. May your strength give us strength, May your faith give us faith, May your hope give us hope, May your love bring us love. Visitation will be Monday from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Hillcrest Funeral Home-Carolina. Vigil Service will be Monday at 7 p.m. at Hillcrest Chapel. Mass of Christian Burial will be Tuesday at 9 a.m. At St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church (519 S. Latta St.). Rite of Committal will follow at Mount Carmel Cemetery. Services under the direction of HILLCREST FUNERAL HOME
www.hillcrestfuneralhome.org. 1060 Carolina Drive 598-3332
