Raul Hernandez Jr.

Raul Hernandez Jr., 72, passed away on Saturday, May 27, 2017 in San Antonio, Texas, lovingly surrounded by family and friends. Raul attended Laredo Public Schools. He played football at Christian Junior High and basketball at Martin High School. He graduated from Martin High School in 1964. Raul met the love of his life Toni Ibarra, at the age of 15 whom he later married. In their marriage of 45 years they were blessed with 2 daughters and 9 grandchildren. He attended Laredo Junior College for a year after which he enlisted in the Air Force for a term of 3 ½ years in Alconbury, England. After completing his tour of duty Raul and Toni married. He earned his associate in Arts degree from Laredo Junior College while working at the library. He received his Bachelors of Business and Administration from Texas A&I University. His Master of Science degree in Math from was earned from Corpus Christi State University. Resulting in an invitation to join the National Honor Scholars Honor Society Magna Cum Laude. Furthermore, he completed a basic commercial air-conditioning and refrigeration study at Laredo Community College. At the age of 13, Raul began his passion for designing, building, and racing cars. He was meticulous in perfecting his work, consciously focusing on safety. He traveled to Waco, San Antonio, and Edinburg to race winning numerous trophies. Also, a motorcycle enthusiast, one of his adventures lead him from Laredo to Michigan with his friend Adrian and others. Other hobbies included golfing with his friend Alfredo Martinez and cycling. Known and beloved by his friends as “El Profe”, he was often asked to help mentor others in the local racing community. Helping his racing success was his compadre Hector Guzman and sons Hugo and Jesse. Much time was also spent with his compadre Toño Gonzalez with Laredo Race Track where he raced many times his Camaro, dragster, and mud racing truck. He also introduced Laredo to Shiner Brand Beer being a distributor for several years as his brother Ricardo helped him. Raul was an educator that touched many lives in teaching G.E.D., Job Corps, and Laredo Community College. His educational passion was highlighted by helping his students to truly understand the concepts of math. He remained passionately teaching until December 2016. Later in life he found a passion for cooking, preparing delicious foods for family and neighbors. His specialty was Chinese food. He was willing to try new recipes and experiment with some of his own. Family was of utmost importance to him, being very family oriented. He instilled good values to his compadres, nephews, nieces, godchildren, and to his loving grandchildren to enrichen their lives. He had several pet dogs that he cared for throughout the years Mama Dog, Brandy, Coco, Chico and Shadow. His legacy will live on in the hearts of all he touched and loved. He is preceded in death by his parents Raul Hernandez Sr. and Delia G. Hernandez; brother, Ricardo Hernandez. Mr. Hernandez is survived by his wife Maria Antonietta I. “Toni” Hernandez, daughters, Priscilla (Christopher) Hoercher, Valerie (Frank) Meurer; 9 grandchildren, Chloe Isabella Hoercher, Cole Hagan Hoercher, Camila Corinne Hoercher, Cade Grayson Hoercher, Taylor Ashlyn Meurer, Meaghan Amanda Meurer, Emily Alexandra Meurer, Peytan Alyssa Meurer, and Frank Dennis Meurer; sister, Alma Delia Linares; brother, Hector Manuel Hernandez. He is also survived by numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, godchildren (Mary Lorraine Cavazos, Athena Cortez, Marilyn and Vanessa Gonzalez, and Yvonne Adame Treviño), as well as many other family and friends. A vigil will be held on Friday, June 2, 2017 at 7:00 p.m. at St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church. A visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. A mass will be celebrated on Saturday, June 3, 2017 at 9:00 a.m. in St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church. The Church will open at 8:00 a.m. Interment will follow at the Family plot of the Calvary Catholic Cemetery. If you would like to sign the guestbook or send private condolences, you may do so at www.hillsidefuneral.com . Arrangements are under the direction of Hillside Funeral Home, 310 Hillside Road.