Jose Pedro Hernandez

Jose Pedro Hernandez was born on August 1, 1946 and recently went to heaven on June 4th, 2024. He was the 6th of 15 siblings born to Jose and Virginia Hernandez. Pedro joined his    parents, and his siblings  Bernardina Aleman, Gabriel Hernandez, Juanita Hernandez(baby), and Julian Hernandez in Heaven.  I can just see the reunion right now.  His surviving siblings are Robert (Benita) Hernandez, Cecilia ( Nacho) Silvas, Juan (Alma) Hernandez, Richard Hernandez, Margarita (Ricky) Ramirez, Elida (Polo) Mendez, Ernesto (Maria) Hernandez, Esther Gomez, Theresa (Reynaldo) Luna, and Dora Guerrero. We will remember him fondly.

Pedro lived a full rich life.   He achieved academic excellence in High School. A three-year graduate, he could have gone to college. Instead, he voluntarily enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy and earned many military commendations during the Vietnam War. After serving in the military, he went to Del Mar College and studied Hospital Radiology. Again, achieving academic excellence, he decided not to pursue this field of work; instead, he earned a degree as a machinist.  Later in his life, Pedro was employed at the Corpus Christi State School where he taught life skills to young children. It was a rewarding experience; it brought him great satisfaction and enjoyment.

As a young boy, I looked up to Pedro, so I listened to his advice because he was my friend. Pedro told me it is not always wise to follow the crowd and that being authentic and unique is valuable. Psalm 139 says; I will praise the Lord because I am uniquely and wonderfully made.  To me, that was Jose Pedro: an exceptional person uniquely and wonderfully molded by God. The word unique is defined as having the quality of being one of a kind. It is rare to find someone who never says an unkind word or talks back to Mom and Dad, but Pedro affectionally called them saints.

Pedro could be very assertive, persistent, and bold when he discussed an issue or matter that concerned him.  When he set his mind on accomplishing something, he usually succeeded. He taught me never to give up.  For example, once he went to a human resources office and tried to get a job.  Pedro got rejected, but he persisted and went daily with new credentials and much private prayer. Pedro made such an impression on people because he was so knowledgeable, smart, and a very persuasive talker. Eventually, he got that job and bought a house in Ennis, Texas.

I will never forget when I told Pedro I would fight in the Vietnam War.  Pedro did not hesitate or think about it for one second but, said he wanted to take my place.  Pedro had just received an Honorable Discharge from the U.S. Air Force and had come home after a year in Thailand.  He was willing to take my place and go to the war for me. The Bible says, “There is no greater love than for one man to give his life for another.”  Even at 23, he was already showing me the kind of man he was.  Pedro emphasized the importance of being a God-fearing man and not to fear any man.  The bible compares a soldier to a Christian engaged in a spiritual battle.  Pedro was a soldier for this country.  He would later join God’s army.  Jesus became his commanding officer, and my brother trained just as a good soldier always trains to win.  If Pedro could speak this evening, he would tell you the following good news. “I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race. I have kept the faith. Now, there is in store for me the crown of righteousness which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award me on that day.” ( 2 Tim. 4:7-8 )

In his senior years, Pedro was a blessing to all his brothers, sisters, nieces, and nephews. Everyone was positively impacted by just being around this respectful and kind gentleman. We will miss our brother, Pedro, but we, as Christians, know we will soon see him again.

At the end of his journey, Pedro achieved his greatest success in life; he left us all an example to follow by finishing his life with a good testimony.

Thanks be to God who gives us the VICTORY!

Pedro’s family will receive condolences on Wednesday, June 12, 2024, at Treviño Funeral Home, 3006 Niagara St. @ Port Ave, from 5:00 PM until 9:00 PM, with a Prayer Service to begin at 7:00 PM that evening. Rite of Committal and Inurnment will be held on Thursday, June 13, 2024, at 2:00 PM at Coastal Bend State Veterans Cemetery with full military honors.

To leave your condolences for the family of Jose Pedro Hernandez, share your memories, or visit his tribute wall, please go to www.trevinofuneralhome.net.