Joe L. Hernandez, Attorney, former Texas State Representative and Bexar County Democratic Chairman, passed away on Nov. 24, 2018. Despite having suffered a debilitating stroke that robbed him of his ability to speak, Joe managed to communicate with his loved ones, never failing to make them laugh with his facial expressions and unique sense of humor. His notable intelligence and eloquence; love of fine dining; impeccable manners; chivalrous habits; outrageous generosity; near obsession with golf; Spanish-accented southern drawl; incomparable dance skill, and lack of reverence for established power structures all combined to make quite the character Joe will always be remembered as.

Jose Luis Hernandez (Joe) was born on Nov. 3, 1933, in Galveston, Texas, to Jose and Preciliana Medina Hernandez. Joe and his nine siblings lost their mother when Joe was a young teen. His six sisters, Carmen, Rebecca, Socorro, Jesse, Lupe, and Lola all helped to raise each other and their four brothers, Manuel, Tony, Henry and Joe.  Their father was a Gandy Dancer (pick and shovel worker) on the Santa Fe Railroad. The family lived in a section house owned by the railroad, with no utilities, located between the Santa Fe and the Southern Pacific tracks. Their father eventually owned two properties on the island, where the family homestead remains to this day. Joe's nickname was Pepe Luis, a name he fondly recalled when looking at pictures from his childhood. From these humble beginnings, the Hernandez family of Galveston, Texas produced two nurses, a Catholic Nun, Professor of French (fluent in seven languages), a Merchant Marine Navigator, a Psychiatrist, and a Lawyer and civic leader.

From an early age Joe was keenly aware that Mexican-Americans were unrepresented in government, were paid little respect, and had few opportunities to voice social concerns. Joe became determined to better the lives of the oppressed and empower those whose voices had never been heard. He saved money from his job as a busboy (from age 10 through high school) to attend Tulane University and then completed his B.A. at the University of Texas in Austin in 1956. After graduation, Joe served in the U.S. Army for three years before working for the San Antonio Housing Authority. He then attended law school at St. Mary's University where he earned his law degree in 1963.

After law school, Joe continued serving the City of San Antonio as an Assistant City Attorney. He left his position as Chief Prosecutor for the City to enter private practice; a practice which he maintained full time for 45 years. He continued his public service as a State Representative in the Texas Legislature for six consecutive sessions from 1973-1985, representing District 57J on the City's westside.  He then briefly served as the Bexar County Democratic Chairman.

Joe is survived by his brother, Manuel, his sisters, Socorro and Rebecca, eleven grandchildren and three great grandchildren. He will be missed by many, but by none more so than Clelia Hernandez, who selflessly cared for him until physically unable to do so; his son and daughter-in-law, Tony and Felicia Hernandez, who made countless sacrifices to care for him; and four daughters, Desiree Hernandez, Geri Hernandez, Deirdre Hernandez Perez, and Angie Hernandez Cook, all who adored their Daddy and followed in his professional footsteps. His manners and grace will forever be their standard by which all men are measured.

FUNERAL SERVICES

Visitation will begin on Friday, November 30, at 5:00 P.M. with a
Rosary to be recited at 6:00 P.M. at
The Angelus Chapel
1119 N. St. Mary's St.

Visitation will resume on Saturday, December 1, at 12 noon with a
Funeral Service to be held at 1:00 P.M. at
The Angelus Chapel

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to
CURE, Citizens United for Rehabilitation of Errants
http://www.curenational.org/make-a-donation.html