Ricardo Hernandez

RICARDO HERNANDEZ

Ricardo Hernandez, 56, entered into eternal rest Tuesday, July 5, 2011.

Ricardo Hernandez has been a teacher his entire professional career.-He has taught for 32 years at all levels of the instructional settings:-elementary school, middle school, high school and college.-In his teachings, Mr. Hernandez has constantly striven to go beyond the book "? visiting battlefields, historical sites, and the National and Texas Archives.-It has been his philosophy to take the student "to the place" by relating interesting anecdotes from Valley Forge to Independence Hall to Fort Sumter to the San Jacinto Battlefield to the Founding of Laredo.-For this he has been the recipient of several accolades:-twice named to the "Who's Who Among America's Teachers' for the years 2004 and 2005, "Faculty Member of the Year" at Laredo Community College in 2000, and the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development (NISOD) Award for Teaching Excellence in 1999.-In 1998, he was named "Honorary County Judge" by the Webb County Commissioner's Court.

He shared his love of history by making presentations on local history to faculty, students, and community organizations; provided historical tours of Fort McIntosh.-He also worked with students to record recollections and collect artifacts on Ft. McIntosh history.-

He had a passion for writing which included a three-part series entitled "24 Hours with Villa"; The History of Holy Redeemer Catholic Church; and a column in the Lare DOS newspaper entitled "McIntosh Torch", which depicted the history of Fort McIntosh.-He was currently working on a biography of Private David B. Barkeley Cant, a Laredo-born doughboy who went on to become the first U.S. Army Hispanic Medal of Honor winner (World War I).

Ricardo was preceded in death by his parents Raul and Delia Hernandez, and mother-in-law Irma L. Palacios.

He is survived by his wife Alma Leticia Hernandez, brothers Raul (Maria Antonietta) Hernandez, Jr., Hector Manuel Hernandez, and his sister Alma Delia H. Linares.-He is also survived by numerous-nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Visitation will be held Friday, July 8, 2011 at Joe Jackson North Funeral Chapels, 1410 Jacaman Road from 5 to 9 in the evening.-A Vigil will commence at 7 in the evening.

Funeral Services will be held Saturday, July 9, 2011 at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church for a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m.-Cortege will depart at 9:30 a.m. from Joe Jackson North Funeral Chapels.

Interment will follow at Calvary Catholic Cemetery.

In Lieu of flowers a memorial scholarship fund has been established at LCC.-Please contact Community Relations office at (956) 721-5812 for further information.

You may extend your condolences to the family online at: www.joejacksonfuneralchapels.com

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the funeral service professionals at Joe Jackson North Funeral Chapels, 1410 Jacaman Road, (956) 722-8850.