Fernando R. Alaniz Jr.

Fernando Alaniz, a lifelong resident of the Earlimart and Delano area, passed away on April 15, 2026, at Adventist Health Bakersfield Hospital at the age of 57. He was surrounded by the love of his family when he was called home at 5:12 p.m.

Born in Delano, California, on November 12, 1968, 

Fernando was a proud graduate of Delano High School after attending Earlimart Elementary and Jr. High. While he briefly served as a security guard in Bakersfield, he found his true professional calling as a forklift operator. Over a dedicated 35-year career, Fernando was a mainstay of the local agricultural industry, serving 15 years with Dole Food Company, 3 years with Treehouse Almonds, 7 years with Sandrini Farms, and 7 years with Delano Farms. Anyone who worked alongside him knew he had "no quit" in him—whether he was operating machinery or digging trenches, 

Fernando worked until the job was done.

Fernando’s life was defined by his "old school" values. He believed in face-to-face conversations, the reliability of a phone call, and the weight of a person's word. If he said he had your back, he was "all in." He took the lessons from his early days in security and applied them to his life’s mission: being the protector of his family. At every gathering, he was the first to arrive and the last to leave—quietly working in the background to set up, clean, and keep a watchful eye over those he loved. He often joked that he was "the muscle," but his family knew him as their greatest helper.

A man of simple but deep passions, 

Fernando was an avid gardener, a skill he proudly inherited from his grandfather. He was a loyal fan of the New York Yankees and the Chicago Bears, and he found great joy in helping neighbors and friends with car repairs and construction projects. Though he never married or had biological children, his dogs were his world. He was an incredibly proud "father" to Boomer I, his benevolent Rottweiler; Boomer II, his good-natured Pitbull; and Chico, his spirited Chihuahua mix.

Fernando was famous for his signature phrase; whenever he agreed with you or was enjoying his favorite music, he’d give a nod and say, "Yea, Huh." We can still hear him saying it now: "I’m old school, Yea, Huh."

Fernando is survived by his mother, Juana Marquez; his sisters, Lydia Rodriguez (Javier), Juanita Duke, and Yolanda Camarillo (Carlos). Mr. Alaniz also leaves 14 nieces and nephews; and 15 great-nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held at Funeraria Del Angel Delano, 707 Browning Rd., Delano, CA 93215, on May 4, 2026, from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm. A Rosary will follow at Funeraria Del Angel Delano on May 4, 2026, beginning at 5:00 pm.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Jude's Catholic Church, 1270 E Washington St., Earlimart, CA 93219, on May 5, 2026, from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm. Committal Service will take place at North Kern District Cemetery, 627 Austin St., Delano, CA 93215, on May 5, 2026, from 1:00 pm to 1:30 pm.

Pallbearers will be Paul Ortiz, Michael Alaniz, Chris Alaniz, Juan Carlos Camarillo, Quenten Duke, Javier Rodriguez, Jesus Alvarez, and Danny Rodriguez.