HENRY JOSEPH HERNANDEZ, also known as "CHIEF" & "JULIO," age 65, passed away peacefully at his home on May 7, 2021, surrounded by his family. Henry was born on December 14, 1955, in Corpus Christi, Tx, to Henry Aldana Hernandez and Beatrice Duque Hernandez.

Henry honorably served his country as a United States Marine. He followed in his father's Marine footsteps, who served in WWII, and his older brother's Marine footsteps, David Morales, who fought in Vietnam. Henry continued his American patriotic duties for the next 30 yrs, working as a Hydraulics Aircraft Mechanic & Inspector at the Corpus Christi Army Depot until his retirement in 2012. In 2018, Henry was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor. The diagnosis took Henry to MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Tx. For 2 yrs, Henry battled chemo treatments & ultimately, a stem cell transplant. He lived in Houston Tx for seven months to meet the challenge & give it his best shot. But in the end, Henry said, "I preferred a Tequila Shot."

Henry was a lifelong Motorcycle Rider. Owning his first motorcycle at age 16. He trailed the southern roads en route to Sturgis several times until he said, "these old bones can't trail no more." Henry was a Lifer of The Gypsy's biker Club. As a member, he participated in annual children's toy drives & fundraisers for worthy causes. Henry was a 30 yr member of the Patriots Band & Honor Guard of Corpus Christi, Tx. His instruments of play were the Trumpet & Baritone. He participated in band performances at retirement homes & in blanket drives for homeless Veterans. Henry was an avid animal lover, contributing food & funds to all of the animal sanctuaries in Corpus Christi, Tx. His poodle, Pepper Hernandez & his cat, Tina Hernandez, continue to be cared for by his family.

Henry is preceded in death by his father, Henry Aldana Hernandez (1973), his mother, Beatrice Duque Hernandez (2009), and older brother, David Morales (2020). He is survived by his lifelong partner, Patricia Meredith; sister, Stella Hernandez; sister-in-law, Margie Morales (David); nieces, Lisa Morales & Stephanie Morales of Corpus Christi, Tricia Ann (Rob) Guidarini; two grandnieces, Sophia Guidarini & Nadia Guidarini all of Minnesota, and Pepper & Tina Hernandez.

Henry's family thanks the Doctors & Staff of the MD Anderson Cancer & Research Center of Houston, Tx, for their extraordinary endeavor to fight cancer. Indeed, a well-oiled TEXAS Machine. The family wishes to thank Dr. Aftab Mahmood & his staff in Corpus Christi, Tx, for their care and keeping when Henry came home after treatments at MD Anderson. We also thank Harbor Hospice CNAs, Nurses & Dr. Nowotny for their indelible care & support in assisting Henry's family in caring for him during his last days.

As per Henry's wishes, he was cremated. His cremated remains will be interred in a cremation bench at his family's burial plot. After a Celebration of Life Ceremony, a graveside service is scheduled on Saturday, March 18, 2023, at Seaside Memorial Park at 2:30 pm—followed by Full Military Honors to be performed by the Patriots Honor Guard of Corpus Christi, Tx.