Jess Robert Fernandez

Jess Robert Fernandez, 77, entered into eternal rest on January 18, 2021 following a hard-fought battle with COVID-19 with his wife and daughter by his side holding his hands. Robert was born in Hartman, CO on March 16, 1943 the sixth of fifteen children of Jess and Fernanda Fernandez. While still in high school, Robert met the love of his life, Dolores B. Alonzo but unfortunately timing was not yet right for them. Her parents did not allow him to walk her home from a dance and their love story was placed on pause for a few years. He graduated from Holly High School in 1961 and immediately enlisted into the United States Navy to see the world. He often told his daughter and grandchildren, “I may have joined the Navy to see the world, but all I saw was California and Hawaii!” Robert was a proud US Veteran and you would rarely find him without his Navy Veteran Cap.

Following his service to our country, he reconnected with Dolores and they married December 21, 1968 and made their home in Holly, CO. They welcomed their only daughter, Rebecca, two years later when they were living in Denver, CO where they continued to live for 4 more years. Just before Rebecca was to enter elementary school, Robert moved the family to Colorado Springs. It was there he completed an Associate of Science degree in Electronics at Colorado Technical University. His love of God sparked brightly in Colorado Springs where he and Dolores first began singing in the Church Choir at Our Lady of Guadalupe. By the time Rebecca was 8 years old she joined in. The three sang together celebrating weekly mass for the next 40 years with Robert playing the guitar. You could always count on the trio to sing for any family occasion from weddings and quinceañeras to funerals. Many family members and friends also received a surprise phone call serenading them for their birthdays through the years.

The family moved back home to the Arkansas Valley in 1983 to Wiley Colorado where they remained until Robert and Dolores moved to Loveland and then Greeley, Colorado in the early 90s. Robert was a tremendous support to Dolores as she completed studies at the University of Northern Colorado and the University of Colorado. Following Dolores’ graduation, they landed in Brighton, Colorado where they made their home for more than 20 years until his death. They found a community there and were welcomed into the Watte family when they joined Our Lady of Grace parish.

During their time in Brighton, Robert worked at and retired from AT&T where he found many friends and colleagues who knew they could always count on him for a smile and his quick wit. That sharp tongue of Uncle Robert often made his young nieces and nephews a bit scared of him, but deep down inside he was the gentlest man with enough love for anyone who would accept it, as so many can attest to today.

In the last two years, Robert treasured the time he was able to spend with his two youngest granddaughters. He constantly joked around with Stephanie and adored the fact he was able to dance with Jessica for her Quinceañera despite the pandemic.

In retirement, you could often find Robert junking or fishing with his brother Steve, or his brothers-in-law Alex and Manuel Alonzo and even many of his nephews. He also cared for his youngest grandson, Izack, who lived with him and Dolores for about 2 years as a toddler. Izack became Grandpa’s shadow and they were virtually inseparable. Together they would visit Dolores at the school where she taught, lending a hand to set up or rearrange her room and always found time to help prep meals and bring his spectacular homemade chips and salsa for the entire staff.

Robert was the most generous, loving man who always had time for his family throughout his life. Family and friends alike knew they could count on him to show up and help, donate money and always spare his time to make sure everything worked and happened as planned. He was definitely Mr. Fix It. A die-hard sports fanatic, he grew to love his Denver Broncos, but recently told his daughter he started out as a Raiders fan. He would catch all the games, basketball, football, hockey, even soccer at times.

He took pride in his daughter, Rebecca, and was always there to encourage her and support her in all she attempted in life. She was definitely Daddy’s Girl and knew he would be there for her no matter what. Robert even happily welcomed the 12 grandchildren she brought into his life, and he loved being the best Grandpa ever!

He is proceeded in death by his parents, Jess and Fernanda Fernandez of Hartman Colorado, sisters Florence (Pete) Flores of Great Bend, Kansas and Frances (George) Benabides of Lamar, Colorado. He is survived by his wife Dolores (Alonzo) Fernandez, Brighton, CO; his daughter Rebecca D Fernandez, Brighton, CO and Grandchildren: Nicholas Martinez (Dani), Chicago, IL; Jesus Fernandez Martinez (Samantha), Lakewood, CO; Feliciana Reyes, Denver, CO; Armando Fernandez Martinez, Federal Heights, CO; Aliya Reyes; Commerce City, CO; Augustine Torres, Denver, CO; Stephanie Fernandez, Brighton, CO; Angelina Reyes Torres, Commerce City, CO; Jessica Fernandez, Brighton, CO; Raymond Muniz, Denver, CO; Matthew Muniz, Denver, CO; and Izack Fernandez, Brighton, CO. Robert is also survived by his siblings: Rose Fernandez, Aurora, CO; Joe (Kathleen) Fernandez, Penn Valley, CA; Emma (Alfonso) Gonzales, Turlock, CA; Tony (Virginia) Fernandez, Lamar, CO; Mary Ann Upham, Jacksonville, FL; Steve (Betty) Fernandez, Windsor, CO; Virginia (Manuel) Herrera, Greeley, CO; Valerie Fernandez, Loveland, CO; Alice (Joe) Baca, Lamar, CO; Josie (Raul) Dominguez, Lamar, CO; Angela (Theodore) Herrera, Greeley, CO; and Peggy Fernandez Dennis, Hartman, CO; as well as numerous nieces, and nephews.

Visitation will be held at St. Williams Catholic Church, 1025 Fulton Ave, Fort Lupton, CO 80621 on Thursday, February 4, 2021 from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm followed by a rosary at 7:00 pm.

Funeral mass will be held at St. Williams Catholic Church on Friday, February 5, 2021 at 11:00 am and burial will take place at Olinger Highland Cemetery, 10201 North Grant Street, Thornton, CO 80229 at 12:30 pm

Please wear a mask if you plan to attend. Social distancing policies will be in effect.