All Saints parishioner John J. Hernandez remembered for love of Church, family, community

John J. Hernandez (photo courtesy Thompson Harveson & Cole Funeral Home) 

The list of lifelong All Saints parishioner John J. Hernandez' accomplishments and contributions to the Church, family, Fort Worth, and beyond runs long, illustrating a life well lived in many facets.

“Mr. Hernandez was certainly very active on the business and civic front and led a life of giving back to his community in so many respects,” Fort Worth City Councilman Carlos Flores said. “He leaves behind a strong family legacy through his children and grandchildren. His Catholic faith was the basis of those strong ties between the Diocese of Fort Worth, his family, neighborhood, and Fort Worth community that he championed and contributed to throughout his life.”

To Teresa Montes, Hernandez' daughter, her father represented all of the above and more, but was always first and foremost simply her dad.

“Everything he did was for family, especially for us children,” Montes said. “Sometimes, when we were younger, we didn't understand the full significance of that until we were older.”

Hernandez passed away July 30 at the age of 94.

A lifelong resident of Fort Worth's Northside neighborhood, Hernandez was born June 12, 1931, to Mexican immigrants Esther and Jesus Hernandez. The values of his Catholic upbringing inspired a lifelong dedication to faith, family, education, strong work ethic, and service to others.

Hernandez began working at the age of 12 in a neighborhood ice cream business. He graduated from Laneri Catholic High School in 1951. Hernandez worked as a printer after high school and later became a salesman with Motheral Printing before striking out on his own as an independent broker. Later in life, he, along with his son Philip Hernandez, purchased a small printing firm in southwest Fort Worth. Subsequently joined by three more sons, Hernandez renamed the company John Sons Press. Through hard work, the company grew into one of the city's premiere commercial printing businesses.

Such was not the main goal, Hernandez said several years ago, so much as to simply make a living. Hernandez credited John Sons Press' success to the individual talents he and his sons brought to the table in addition to hard work.

Hernandez used his success to give back to community and assist other minority-owned businesses.

Hernandez contributed to the founding of Fort Worth's Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and served as its chairman in the early '90s. The Chamber recognized Hernandez in 2023, the Chamber's 50th anniversary, as one of their 50 Latino Leaders of Fort Worth.

The Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 2000 presented its Ohtli Award to Hernandez in recognition of his lifetime of service elevating the Hispanic community.

Hernandez served as a founding board member of the North Texas Area Community Health Center and as a trustee of the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History.

Hernandez also served on the boards of Red Cross, MedStar, and John Peter Smith Hospital, and he led Boy Scout Troop 315 at All Saints School while also serving in the Longhorn Council for 20 years.

Hernandez earned the Silver Beaver Award, Scouting's highest volunteer honor at the Council level.

Hernandez served on the Fort Worth Stock Show's International Committee and Hispanic Advisory Committee where he worked to expand outreach.

In addition to serving his parish throughout his life — Hernandez was an inaugural member of All Saints' Parish Advisory Council — Hernandez was a longtime member of the diocese's Finance Council.

Hernandez and his wife of 67 years, Jeanette, helped create the Father Jasso Tuition Assistance Program at All Saints, which has helped make possible Catholic education for many students throughout the years.

Nolan High School in 2014 awarded the Esto Dux Award in honor of the couple's commitment to Catholic education.

“As I said, as young kids it didn't totally compute why our dad was on the parish council and doing all these things,” Montes said. “It wasn't until we got older that we understood it was him setting an example for us and our futures.”

Edward Hernandez, Hernandez' son, agreed.

“Our parents' examples instilled that sense of service through Catholic faith in us,” Edward Hernandez said. “We didn't really think about or realize until we were older that, for my father, it was always family built around the Church first, but that's just how we were raised.”

Hernandez leaves behind his wife, eight children, 17 grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren

Edward's son, Eric Hernandez, is in seminary for the Diocese of Fort Worth.

“For myself, my cousins and whole family, Grandpa was always our role model and the one who led the family by bringing us all together,” Eric Hernandez said. “He was big on Catholic education for all of us and how faith starts with the family and was just very encouraging and influential on all of us.”

Dr. Alex Guevara, a longtime friend, worked alongside Hernandez on several All Saints' committees and projects.

“Mr. Hernandez was a giant, a pillar in the community,” Guevara said. “He set an example by not only talking the talk but walking the walk and you couldn't ask for a greater example of Catholic faith, community outreach, and business expertise. He was able to blend all those things together in a way that made him a leader that myself and others tried to model ourselves after.”

Guevara spoke of Hernandez' efforts towards making Catholic education possible for students through the Father Jasso Scholarship and other endeavors.

“He was one of the first, if not the first, to stand up and make a financial commitment to that fund when asked by Fr. Jasso,” Guevara said.

Edward Hernandez recalled family gatherings at a small ranch his father bought about 20 years ago near Palo Pinto. Edward Hernandez joked that he thought the place was a dump the first time he saw it.

Through hours of family time and hard work, Hernandez and his family converted the ranch back to its original splendor, Edward Hernandez said.

“That's the thing about my dad, he could always see things as they are now but also always see the potential there,” Edward Hernandez said, referring not just to his father's take on the ranch but on life and faith in general.

Visitation is scheduled for 4:30 - 6:00 p.m. with a Rosary following on Monday, August 11, at All Saints Catholic Church.

Bishop Michael Olson will be the celebrant at the Mass of Christian Burial for John Hernandez on Tuesday, August 12, at 10 a.m. at All Saints Catholic Church.

Interment at Mount Olivet Cemetery will follow.

For those who want to send a memorial, the family has requested in lieu of flowers, donations to All Saints Catholic Church, 214 NW 20th Street, Fort Worth, TX 76164; The Fr. Jasso Tuition Assistance Fund at All Saints Catholic School; or the Seminarian Burse at the Catholic Diocese of Fort Worth, 201 Main Street, Ste. 1198, Fort Worth, TX 76102.