Perfecto Phillip Hernandez

Perfecto Phillip 'Phil' Hernandez entered the gates of heaven on July 2, 2021. Phil was born in Las Cruces, New Mexico on July 29, 1940 to Florencio & Nativitdad Hernandez. Named after his grandfather, Phil grew up in Visalia, graduated from Redwood HS in 1958, then served in the United States Army as a paratrooper and medic. He was part of the 82nd Airborne Division from Fort Bragg, North Carolina. After his discharge from the army, he married Mary Lou Contreras. They had two children, MaryKatherine "Kathi" in 1967 and Eric Phillip, in 1974. Phil worked various jobs from retail sales to seasonal firefighter. He attended Faith Community Church in Visalia where he was an active member and a member of the Men's Group.

Phil was preceded in death by his parents, his siblings: Delfina Alvarez, Della Hyde, Alice Morfin, Connie Mendez, Susan Villarreal, Evangelina Mendez, Betty Hernandez, Laurie Gonzalez, and Lenard Hernandez. He is survived by his daughter, Kathi Hernandez (Steven Correia), Tulare; son, Eric Hernandez (Nellie), San Diego; grandson, Sgt Joshua Anderson, (Emily), South Korea; granddaughter, Sarah Albright (Chris), Eugene, OR; granddaughter, Ranisha Hernandez, San Diego; grandson, Eric Alexander Hernandez, San Diego; great grandson, Jordan Albright, Eugene, OR; sister, Dora Cantu, Tulare; sister, Lydia Cantu (Oscar), Yuba City; brother, Florencio "Tony" Hernandez, Jr (Helen), Detroit, Michigan and numerous nieces & nephews.

Services will be Tuesday, July 27, at 10 am at Sterling & Smith Funeral Home 409 North K Street, Tulare. A gathering for fellowship will be at Kathi & Steven's home after the service. Internment will be at the Bakersfield National Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Fresno State Marching Band, 2380 E Keats Ave, MB 77, Fresno, Ca 93740-8024.