Johnnie Diaz Hernandez

Johnnie D. Hernandez, 83, of San Jacinto, California passed away peacefully at his home on Friday, July 21, 2023. He was the firstborn to Domingo and Santos Hernandez on September 10, 1939, in Snyder, Texas.

His family moved to California from Texas to seek a better future. In his youth and as a young man he worked in a variety of different trades - Johnnie was a skilled craftsman, a carpenter of sorts, a “jack of all trades” you could say, talented and knowledgeable in respect to many things. He worked for many years in the mobile home manufacturing industry, but his true labor of love was the art of sheep shearing. This was a special trade handed down from his father, and his grandfather. The legacy of this work is still alive today through his son Graciano and grandchildren Sammie and Levi. This treasured art skill has encompassed five generations.

Johnnie enjoyed having a good time with family, always looking forward to a good BBQ that included a nice piece of brisket or carne asada, tortilla con chili, and an ice-cold refreshing Budweiser or two. Also, you could bet that if a favorite song of his was played he didn’t hesitate to grab Lena or one of his daughters for a dance. He also enjoyed watching the grandkids grow up and seeing them happy and doing well.

Johnnie loved the beauty of nature, God’s creation. Being outdoors made him happy and he especially enjoyed caring for his gourds, cactus, plants and flowers. If he had a patch of dirt and some water, he could make anything grow. Maintaining his yard and having it look nice was important, satisfying, and a sense of pride to him.

Johnnie and his better half, his beloved life partner Lena, enjoyed jumping in the car and hitting the road for random road trips. Whether the trip be long or short, to see family, to see new places, or re-visit old ones they liked to be on the go. Although the last couple of years and especially his last few months and weeks were challenging for him, he pushed himself and didn’t give up his fight to get out of the house for his daily drive around town - familiar as they may have been, he was a wanderer and being on the road meant freedom!

Throughout his life, Johnnie shared 17 wonderful children and stepchildren with three beautiful and caring mothers - Judy, Nellie, and Lena and for that we should all be grateful. May the memories of our dad last forever in all of our hearts and may we always take a moment to stop and smile when we see a sunflower reaching for the sky.

Johnnie was preceded in death by his parents Domingo and Santos, and his brothers Andrew and Mike. He is survived by his beloved partner Lena, ex-wife Nellie, sons Tony, Hank, John, Graciano, Herodius, Domingo, Moses, Valeriano, and their spouses; daughters Twila Lathrom, Julie Wilson, Veronica Alcala, Maria (Cinti) DeLeon, Griselda Hernandez, Regina Tamez, and their spouses. Stepchildren Kim Calleja, Gina Jones, Art Robles, and their spouses. 43 grandchildren, and 19 great grandchildren. Sister Mary Valdez, brothers Zeke, Bernard, Larry, Willie and many many nieces and nephews.