Jerry Hernandez

Jerry Hernandez, 66, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by the love of family and friends Oct. 15, 2019, after a year-long battle with pancreatic cancer. To say Jerry remained strong throughout the bout with this disease would be an understatement, the fight was always on his terms and, through grit and pure stubbornness, he weathered treatment, albeit unsuccessful, with little ill affect and remained strong in both body and mind throughout the very end.

Jerry’s time on earth was marked with hard work, service, family, and a zeal to seek out and partake in life’s enjoyments. A Californian native, Jerry moved to Oregon after his 1971 – 1975 service in the US Coast Guard, most notably aboard the CGC Mallow in the course of the ship’s deployment to provide maritime support during the Vietnam War. Once in Oregon, Jerry began what turned into a 30-year career with the US Forest Service, working within the Forestry and Wildland Fire Fighting Management divisions. Jerry’s dedication to his military and government service, although an important aspect of his life, is only a small part of the man in total; he was an accomplished hunter, umpire, dirt-court athlete, self-proclaimed hippie, great friend, and family man, with a smile and laugh that was unmistakably sincere. The best of Jerry still lives on through his 7 children and 16 grandchildren; he is also survived by his mother, Frances Hernandez, and 3 sisters, preceded by his father, sister, and brother.

It’s challenging to capture the life of a person in such few words. But, the man would not want a lengthy story of his life written out, instead it is best to say that despite his life’s struggles, he dedicated himself to do his best in all that was important to him, raise his children to know a life better than his own, respected his heritage, took pride in his service to our country, and loved being with his family and friends above all else - “Enough Said”.

Jerry will be laid to rest with his fellow servicemen and women at a private, not open to the public, funeral at Willamette National Cemetery.

A public memorial service, open to all family and friends, will be held on Saturday, October 26, 2019 from 2-5 p.m. at The Well Church, located at 1734 NE 1st Ave., Portland, Oregon 97212.