Margarito Guadalupe Hernandez

Born at his home in San Antonio, Texas, and delivered by a midwife on December 12, 1943, Rito was born to Margarito and Concepcion Hernandez. He spent his early years in San Antonio before moving to Taylor with his parents and siblings.

He graduated from Taylor High School in 1962 where he served as captain of the basketball team and earned All-District honors in football. He also loved playing baseball throughout his childhood and well into his high school years.

Following graduation, Rito enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in June 1963 and was honorably discharged in June 1969. During his military service, he spent time stationed in Japan and often shared stories from those years. After returning home, he briefly served as a police officer with the Taylor Police Department before beginning a long career with Alcoa USA Corp. where he dedicated 36 years of service before retiring.

Rito enjoyed dancing, listening to Tejano music, taking trips to the casinos, and trying his luck with scratch-off lottery tickets. He was also a faithful member of Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church. Before his stroke in 2016, he was a familiar face enjoying breakfast at the local Donut Shop and Mariachis de Jalisco.

Above all, Rito loved his family. He was devoted to his daughters and cherished his many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He could always be found cheering from the sidelines at their games and offering a “gentle” correction on form or performance. Among the many pieces of advice he shared, two sayings his grandchildren will always remember are: “Study hard, study long, and pay attention,” as well as, “When you’re young, you’re learning, and when you’re old, you understand.”

He enjoyed gathering with family for holidays and birthdays where you were sure to be serenaded by Las Mañanitas. He also never missed an opportunity to tell stories—whether about his childhood, former teachers, his father and siblings, or his years in the Marines—espcially the one about chow time when they would yell out, “Fat boy, first in line!” He never met a stranger and treasured spending time with the Perez family while he was still able.

After his stroke, Rito was blessed to spend nearly ten years surrounded by the loving care of his daughters and their families whose unwavering devotion gave him comfort, dignity, and a meaningful quality of life throughout his final days.

He is survived by his former wife, Arlinda B. Hernandez, with whom he shared three daughters and their spouses: Madeline and Christopher Medrano; Carmelita and Daniel Gonzales; and April Hernandez; and his beloved stepdaughter and spouse, Trisa and Russell Austin. He is also survived by 18 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren; his brothers and their wives: Arthur and Dolores Hernandez, Andres and Betty Hernandez; his sister Oralia Blackstock and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father, Margarito Hernandez, and stepmother, Maria Hernandez; his mother, Concepcion Macias Hernandez; his brother, Carlos Hernandez; his brother in-law, Mickey Blackstock, and his longtime companion, Amelia Perez; and 13 beautiful baby souls who we pray welcomed him home.

Visitation will be held on Friday, May 29, 2026, at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, Taylor, Texas, from 9:00 a.m. to 10:15 a.m., followed by a Rosary from 10:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. and Funeral Mass from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

A Committal Service will follow at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery, Taylor, Texas, from 12:15 p.m. to 12:30 p.m.