Salvador Hector Fernandez

Born 12-1-1943 Passed away 12-16-2024

It is with great sadness that our brother Hector passed away in his home after a long battle with different illnesses. As was his character, he endured these illnesses with great strength and courage.

‘Leto’ (as known by his family) is survived by his four brothers: Eduardo (Eddie), Luis (Flaco), Javier (Chum) Lino (Linus) and his half brother Antonio (Tony). He was preceded in death by his brother Miguel (Mike) and his loving parents Teresa and Antonio Fernandez. He also leaves his ‘extended family’ of many nephews and nieces that he dearly loved…being that he never married or had any children of his own.

Early in life he developed an interest in sports and fitness. Although relatively small compared to other students, he played guard for the Jefferson High School football team. As a starter on the varsity team he was lauded by his teammates for his toughness and outsized play for his small stature notably making a key block on a goal line play that resulted in a score sealing a win against a local school rival. Throughout his life he coached and mentored others on strength and fitness programs and often could be found running the track at what is now Aviation Track and Field Park in Redondo Beach.

His strength of leadership and perseverance in difficult situations stood out among his peers and in 1967 after being drafted into the Army, he was selected to attend Officer Candidate School in recognition of his ability to lead soldiers in combat situations. In 1968 he deployed with the 173rd Airborne Infantry Brigade to Vietnam where as a Platoon Commander, he led his unit in carrying out operations throughout Dak-To Province in the Central Highlands; then one of the most hotly contested and dangerous regions of the conflict. It was there that he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for his exemplary leadership and actions in a combat zone. Although he completed his tour of duty in 1972 physically unscathed, the psychological trauma he experienced during his tour in Vietnam haunted him throughout the rest of his life. Over the last four decades of his life he struggled with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, getting treatment from the Veteran’s Administration with varying degrees of effectiveness. Throughout that time however, he never wavered in his consistent habit of helping, coaching and encouraging neighbors, family members, and anyone else who happened to befriend him. For his duty we are all very proud and honored that he served our country with such courage and strength.

After his return from Vietnam he continued his college education at The University of Texas at El Paso and earned his degree in Business Administration. Upon graduation he was employed by Hughes Aircraft Company in El Segundo, Ca. as an Accountant until his retirement and lived the rest of his life in his beloved home in Redondo Beach, Ca.

Consistent with his habit of playing a protective role with others, after retirement from Hughes Aircraft he served as a Crossing Guard for the Los Angeles Department of Transportation’s Parking Enforcement and Traffic Control Division. He developed close relationships with the supervisory staff there where he was revered for the seriousness and dedication with which he performed his job.

In Redondo Beach he established lifelong friendships with his many neighbors. Most notably were his neighbor friends Cindy and Jerry Shodall who looked after him for many years, even to this day.

Brother Hector….. May You Rest in Peace!

Full military honors, memorial services and burial to be announced at a later date.