Ray H Hernandez, 71, of Minatare, NE, passed away peacefully, surrounded by loved ones, on Sunday April 9, 2023, at Regional West Garden County Hospital in Oshkosh, NE. There will be a visitation on Wednesday, April 12, from 5-7pm at Dugan Kramer Funeral Chapel with cremation following. A memorial mass will be held at Christ the King, in Gering at 10:30 am on Friday April 14, 2023, with Father Michael McDonald officiating. Inurnment will follow at East Lawn in Minatare, NE. Fond memories and condolences for the family may be left at www.dugankramer.com
Ray was born on November 26, 1951, in Levelland, TX, to Jesse C Hernandez and Isabel H Hernandez, remaining in Texas for his youth. On October 8, 1970, in Boise City, Oklahoma, he married the love of his life, Lupe (Ramirez) Hernandez of Belton, TX. They moved from Texas to Nebraska, where they made their home. They lived in many areas in the Western part of Nebraska from Bridgeport to Bayard before settling in, Minatare, where they purchased their first home. Ray was always a hardworking man, who provided for his family. He worked in farming, cattle feeding, and driving tractors, which was one of his passions. After leaving farm work, he became a feed truck driver at Winter Circle Feedlot for several years before retiring in 2019. He was also a bass player with several Mexican music bands, such as Group Salvaje, Grupo Angel, and Te Soto Latino, as well as helping other bands in the community. If you knew Ray, he loved spending time with his family, playing keno, scratching lottery tickets, watching his YouTube, and telling jokes. Whenever time was allowed, he could be found fishing and if you asked him, he was a professional fisherman. If he was not fishing, he was watching the Dallas Cowboys and Texas Longhorns. Ray was a friend to all, but most of all a great father. He is survived by his son, Raymond Hernandez of Scottsbluff, NE; and daughters, Ramona Lenhart of Gering, NE, and Rebecca Hernandez of Scottsbluff, NE. He was also a loving grandfather and great-grandfather to Derek (Emily) Hernandez and their 4 children of Colorado Springs; Great-Grandson, Jayden Navarro Garcia of Thorton, Co, Deitrich (Jasmine) Hernandez and their 2 children of Henderson, NV, Olivia (Brent) Pierce and their 2 children of Mitchell, NE, Riley Lenhart and his son of Chadron, NE, Alena Bivens and her son of Lincoln, NE, and Abby Lenhart of Omaha, NE. He is also survived by his mother, 3 sisters, in-laws, and numerous nephews, nieces, and friends he treated as family. He will be greatly missed. Ray was preceded by his wife, Lupe Hernandez; Son, Roy Hernandez; Granddaughter, Desirae Marie Garcia; Great Granddaughter, Madilyn Paige Lenhart; Brother and his wife, James and Juanita Hernandez; and Nephew, Mickey Sanchez.