Mr. Luis G Hernandez

June 21, 1928 - May 1, 2014

Luis was born in 1928 in Jerome, Ariz., and moved to Casas Grandes, Chihuahua, Mexico, during the Great Depression. As a teenager, along with his older brothers, he was awarded land to help settle outlying ranch property. Shortly thereafter, other ranchers discovered he was not a Mexican citizen and demanded his land back. After giving up his land, he decided to move back to his land of birth. Luis then traveled to El Paso, Texas, and with English being a foreign language, he attempted to enlist into the military. The recruiter informed him that WWII had just ended and he was free to explore his country. After working ranches throughout California and Arizona, his older brother Lupe, communicated with him and asked that he visit him in Bagdad, Ariz. This visit turned out to be life-changing, as through his brother he met the love of his life, Elvira. Together they raised three children Rosa, Mary and Manuel, in the town of Bagdad. Luis spent 38 years working for Bagdad Copper Mine. He and Elvira retired to Prescott Valley, Ariz., in 1986. Luis enjoyed spending time with his family and friends. He loved anything outdoors, particularly gold-panning, deer hunting, fishing and hiking. He was preceded in death by his wife of 52 years, Elvira; and most recently by his brother Enrique. He was also predeceased by his parents, Jose and Leonarda; brother Guadalupe; and sisters Elena, Inocencia, Paz and Camila. He is survived by his son, Manuel Hernandez; daughters Rosa Fonseca and Mary Wise; sister Higinia Martinez; grandchildren Thomas, Sonia and Steven Wise, Shaun Pinney and Monica Fonseca, Joaquin and Olga Hernandez; great-grandchildren Penelope, Addison, Alexa, Raylan, Hunter, Kambria and Liam; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law Maria Elena, Salvador, Enrique, Raymundo and Ester; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Visitation will be 4 to 5 p.m. Monday, May 5, 2014, and Rosary at 5 p.m. at Sunrise Funeral Home in Prescott Valley. Funeral Mass will be 10 a.m. Tuesday, May 6, 2014, at St. Germaine Catholic Church in Prescott, Ariz., luncheon to follow. Interment will be at Heritage Memorial Park in Dewey, Ariz.