Reverend Manuel Hernandez Estrada

Reverend Manuel Hernandez Estrada was born on October 13, 1928 in Carlsbad, New Mexico. He is preceded in death by his wife Mercedes Estrada, his parents Andres Estrada and Eleanor Hernandez Estrada; brother and sisters Crecencio, Ysidro, and Mary. Step-brothers Hilario, Frank, Martin, Lewis, half-sisters Dominga, Mary, and Socorro Hernandez, grandparents Julio and Silveria Estrada. He is survived by his 9 children, Christina Sanchez, husband Tony, Silveria Bisacca, Betty Valverde, husband Juan, Manuel Estrada Jr., Frank Estrada, wife Elizabeth, Eva Gahimer, husband Rollie, Adam Estrada, wife Hope, Patricia Bresee, husband Jim and David Estrada, now deceased. He had 21 grandchildren and 42 great-grandchildren.

Manuel began working at a very young age doing field work and working with horses with his dad and considered himself a true cowboy for awhile. He then began working for the Southern Pacific Railroad in Texas. Later he relocated to California where he again did field work until he began his long career with Santa Fe Railroad and was sent throughout the country to work including Nevada and Arizona. In 1973 his whole life changed when he met his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. As he began to share the gospel with his fellow co-workers he won his boss over to accepting Jesus Christ as his Savior. Manuel shared the word of God with everyone he met. After retiring from Santa Fe Railroad, Manuel attended Bible College at La Puente and received his diploma from Berean. Later he received his credentials from Northern Pacific Latin District, Assemblies of God and successfully obtained his Minister’s license to preach the gospel as his full time ministry. It was then that he and his boss, Felix Delgadillo, picked up their guitars and started the Gospel group “Los Hijos Del Rey” which included his wife Mercedes, daughter Eva, daughter Christina and his son-in-law Tony Sanchez. In 1980, Mr. Estrada took to the air-waves and began a Gospel morning program on local radio station KJOP in Lemoore where he preached for 6 years. He served as a volunteer spiritual counselor at the Hanford County Jail and was recognized in Omaha, Nebraska for his monetary contribution to help disabled veterans. Manuel enjoyed going to the Salvation Army to eat breakfast, because he enjoyed sharing the gospel and answering questions to those who regularly sat with him at the same table every morning. It was later discovered that Manuel had been giving donations to the Salvation Army. Rev. Estrada was invited to speak at countless churches, auditoriums and theaters to speak and hold special services all throughout the San Joaquin valley. He did not neglect an opportunity to minister at any church where asked. At age 83 Manuel’s last passion of ministry was at Glad Tidings Church as he assisted his son-in-law Pastor Tony Sanchez with his Spanish ministry. Rev. Estrada and Mercedes were also crowned King and Queen of Kings County. Manuel demonstrated his Christian life by loving all people, no matter who they were or where they were from, giving the shirt off his back including his tunic as the Bible commands. Reverend Estrada leaves behind a shining legacy and an example of a life changed by Jesus Christ. He will be missed for his stories of cowboys, railroads and his loyalty and commitment to sharing the gospel.

A Visitation will be held on Wednesday, April 18, 2012 from 5:00 – 6:30 p.m. with a Evening Wake Service at 6:30 p.m. and a Funeral Service on Thursday, April 19, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. all at People’s Funeral Chapel; 501 N. Douty Street, Hanford, CA 93230 559-584-5591 with Burial to follow at Calvary Cemetery; 11680 S. 10th Avenue, Hanford, CA 93230 559-584-3937.

If donations are preferred in lieu of flowers by anyone; then the family requests that donations be sent in Manuel’s memory to the Salvation Army; 380 E. Ivy Street, Hanford, CA 93230 559-582-4434.