Alejandro Rea Hernandez

February 27, 1922 - February 12, 2013

Alejandro (Alex) Rea Hernandez Sr., 90, of Ephrata, Washington, went to be with the Lord Tuesday morning February 12, 2013 at Columbia Basin Hospital in Ephrata. He was born on February 27, 1922 in Brighton, Colorado to Atilano and Carmen Hernandez. Alejandro married Margarita Castro on August 23, 1943 in Robstown, Texas. Alex grew up in Robstown where he learned to play the guitar. That made him popular and he made many friends. In 1953 he migrated to Washington state looking for better paying jobs in agriculture. He brought other families from Texas who also settled in Quincy, Washington. Soon after, Alex became a farm labor contractor which led him to gain notoriety and become familiar with many farmers in the Columbia Basin. He worked very hard thinning and weeding sugar beets. He bought trucks and ran a trucking business to haul silage, sugar beets and potatoes. Alex had a variety of talents – he was an excellent storyteller and kept his family amused and entertained. He loved music and could play and sing many songs from great singers like Los Tres Ases, Cardel, Augustine Lara, and many more. Alex and Margarita had seven children. Alex accepted the Lord Jesus in his life in 1981 in Quincy. He became a member of the Puerta Abrierta Pentecostal Church in Quincy, where he served and played his guitar to praise the Lord. Alex later became a member of the Bethlehem Chapel Assembly of God Church in Ephrata. He exemplified the love for family and was one who loved the Lord. He also played the guitar and sang songs at Nueva Vida Baptist Church in Quincy and received a plaque for his contributions to the Music Ministry in 2008. He received commendation from Colonel Thomas Deppe, Wing Commander of the 341st Space Wing at Malmstrom Air Force Base in Montana for his unwavering support of his son, Jonas’, 21-year service commitment to the United States Air Force. Alejandro is survived by a younger sister, Juana Preciado, Buellton, Calif.; seven children – three sons, Alex Hernandez Jr. (wife, Esperanza) of Pfluegerville, Texas, Angel Hernandez (wife, Margaret) of Robstown, Texas, Jonas Hernandez (wife, Doris) of Great Falls, Mont.; four daughters, Adelina Marroquin (husband, Raul) of McAllen, Texas, Amparo Connie Trevino (husband, Eusebio) of Houston, Texas, Alice Hernandez of Puyallup, Wash, Adriana Hernandez, Ephrata; 21 grandchildren – Ben Hernandez (wife, Laureen) of Yakima; Cassandra Hernandez of Portland, Ore.; Isabel Garcia (husband, Rolando) of Ephrata; Jacques Hernandez (wife, Sylvia) of San Antonio; Sonia Carnes of McAllen; Monica Gayda (husband, Gary) of San Antonio; Mercedes Miller (husband, Adam) of Blaine, Wash.; Raul Marroquin Jr. of Mercedes, Texas; Lisa Hernandez of Houston; Yesina De los Santos of Houston; Marisol Lopez (husband, Gabriel) of Houston; Mariana Guzman (husband, Oscar) of Houston; Bernadette Barrera (spouse, Robert) of Robstown; Angel Hernandez Jr. of Austin, Texas; Christopher Hernandez of Robstown; Monty Hernandez and Audry Johnson of Seattle; Abigail Martinez (hustand, Greg) of Quincy; Sole’ Karrer (husband, Thomas) of Wenatchee; Arthur Jonas Hernandez Jr. of Great Falls; Alyssa Herrnandez Wood (husband, Jason) of Loveland, Colo.; 28 great-grandchildren, Matthew and Julia Hernandez of Yakima; Isaac, Victoria Garcia and Ana-Lisa White (Garcia) all of Ephrata; Robert and Stephanie Barrera of Corpus Christi, Texas; Lorena, Kaylynn, Alison and Adam Gayada all of San Antonio; Joshua Miller of Blaine; Illana and Christopher Carnes of McAllen; Jackie, Paul, Frankie, David, and Jasmine Hernandez Mariah and Erik De Los Santos all of Houston; Dominic, Brandon, Nicholas and Christian Lopez all of Corpus Christi; Ezekiel Guzman of Houston; Lucas Martinez of Quincy; Nicholas Karrer III of Wenatchee; and nine great-great-grandchildren – Basil Claire Ryan of Ephrata; Grant and Ismael Hernandez of San Antonio; Damien Hernandez of Houston; Rebekah Hernandez of Corpus Christi; Layla Rangel Corpus Christi; Jacob Hernandez Houston; Mia and Aaliyah Garcia of Moses Lake; Andrea and Valeria of Pflugerville, Texas; and Evan and Anthy of Robstown. Alejandro was preceded in death by his wife, Margarita. The viewing will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. on Saturday, February 15, 2013 at Nicoles Funeral Home, 157 C St. S.W, Ephrata. Funeral services will be held at 11a.m. on Monday, February 18 at the Bethlehem Chapel Assembly of God Church, 612 Nat Washington Way in Ephrata with graveside service to follow at the Ephrata City Cemetery. Please express your thoughts and memories for the family and view the online tribute video at nicolesfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Nicoles Funeral Home of Ephrata, Wash.