Donald R. Hernandez

A Mass of Christian Burial for Donald Hernandez will be 10 am Thursday, May 24, 2012 at The Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church with Father Jacob Thomas officiating. Interment will follow at Fern Park Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5 pm until 9 pm on Wednesday, May 23, 2012 at Blanchard St. Denis Funeral Home. Recitation of the Rosary will be at 7 pm during the visitation on Wednesday in the funeral home chapel. Donald Ray “Coach” Hernandez passed away May 20, 2012. Mr. Hernandez taught hundreds of students at Natchitoches Junior High and later at L.P. Vaughn Elementary School before retiring in May of 2011. He also coached football, basketball, and baseball at the junior high and during the summer season. He followed his saying “never give up”, but in the end he was unable to “hold the line” against a higher being. He fought a long hard battle but in the end he was happy to follow his Lord. He will be sorely missed by all who knew him. Mr. Hernandez is survived by his wife of 42 years, Linda, one son, Keith Hernandez and his wife, Gwen, of Creston. He is also survived by two brothers, Kenneth Hernandez and his wife, Oneitha, and Raymond Hernandez and his wife, Sherry, both of Natchitoches. He will be sorely missed by his two grandchildren, Sloan and Chole Peacock, as well as many nieces and nephews. Donald was preceded in death by his parents, Andrew and Bertha Hernandez. Honored to serve as pallbearers are James Kirk, Don Mims, Jr., Sonny Lavespere, John Laborde, Kenny Mayeaux, and Steve McCain. Honorary pallbearers will be Travis Alexander and Julien Vienne.