Alfred "Al" Fernandez

Al Fernandez, 92, of Ballinger, Texas passed away on July 12, 2012 in Ballinger.

He was born August 18, 1919, in Victoria, Texas, the son of Joseph and Trinida Fernandez. He graduated from Victoria High School and attended Del Mar College in Corpus Christi on a basketball scholarship.

Al married the former Lois Bea Evans of Ballinger on April 4, 1942. He enlisted in the Army Air Corp, and he and Bea were stationed at Randolph AFB in San Antonio, Elmendorf AFB in Anchorage, Alaska, and Travis AFB in Fairfield, California before Al retired as a Master Sergeant in 1963. The family settled in Ballinger where Al worked for many years for the US Post Office until his retirement.

Al loved sports and excelled at basketball and baseball in his youth and golf in his later years. In addition to coaching his son’s little league teams throughout the years, he was a star baseball player for the Randolph AFB Pirates, at one time batting .444. He won the Ballinger Country Club Golf Championship several years and also won the Retired Military Golf Tournament in Las Vegas.

Al was preceded in death by Lois Bea who died in 2003. He was also preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Joe and Art; and sisters, Carrie, Stella, and Blanche.

Al is survived by two children, his son Mike Fernandez and wife, Linda, of Austin; and Cindy Fernandez-McNaley and husband, Bobby, of Ballinger. Also surviving are his precious grandchildren, Lindsey Trook and husband, Michael, of Abilene; Sarah Wolfe and husband, Kyle, of Austin; and Collin Henry of San Angelo. He is also survived by his great-grandson, Paxton Trook of Abilene; and by numerous, loving nieces and nephews.

Rosary for Al Fernandez will be recited at 6:00 pm on Saturday, July 14 at Lange Funeral Home Chapel, 908 North 8th Street, Ballinger, followed by visitation. The funeral service will be celebrated at 2:00 pm on Sunday, July 15 at Lange Funeral Home Chapel followed by burial at Evergreen Cemetery in Ballinger.

The family wishes to extend heartfelt thanks to Al’s doctor, Dr. Martinez, dear friend Margarette Smith of Ballinger, and the staff of Ballinger Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center for their loving care and concern.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorials be sent to the Alzheimer's Association, 438 E. Houston Harte Expressway, San Angelo, TX 76903, or to a favorite charity.