Juan Gamino Hernandez

Juan Gamino Hernandez, 96, of Belton, passed away on the morning of November 4, 2024. Visitation services will be held at Harper-Talasek Funeral Home in Belton from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Monday, November 11, with Recitation of the Holy Rosary beginning at 6:00 p.m. A funeral mass will be held on Tuesday, November 12, 2024, 10:00 a.m., at Christ the King Catholic Church in Belton, with a burial to follow at Garden of Memories in Temple. 

Juan was born January 21, 1928, in Granger, Texas, to parents Manuel and Julia Hernandez. Having lost both of his parents to tuberculosis, Juan was raised by his grandmother. Juan entered Army service at the age of 18 and was stationed at Fort Hood, Texas (now Fort Cavazos). Juan served in the United States Army from 1945 through 1946. On October 4, 1947, Juan married Sara Rico Hernandez. Together, Juan and Sara raised 14 children.

Juan worked on farms in Granger, Texas, where he enjoyed plowing fields of cotton, corn, and maize. Juan truly loved farming and was known to join his children in the fields in the evenings after work as well as Saturdays. Juan worked at Grigg’s Equipment Co. in Belton for 32 years, between 1954 and 1986. After his work at Grigg’s, Juan worked for Artco-Bell from 1986 until his retirement in 1999. Juan worked as a welder and later as a machine operator supervisor. 

Juan and Sara were parishioners of Christ the King Catholic Church in Belton. Juan was also involved in the Cursillos de Cristiandad. One of his fondest memories was being given the opportunity to travel to Mexico City for a Cursillo, where he was able to attend the Our Lady of Guadalupe Chapel, a church his own mother had also attended. 

In his spare time, Juan enjoyed working on cars, both for himself and for others. Juan will be remembered as a kind, giving person. His children remember that, at Christmas, Juan would join the family in the kitchen help his wife Sara prepare the Christmas tamales. Juan’s grandchildren remember their grandpa as a man who had a joke for every occasion. 

Juan is preceded in death by his parents, Manuel and Julia, as well as his wife Sara, and a child, Francisco. Juan is survived by 14 children: Adela Hernandez, Julia Galban, Helen McGregor, Felix Hernandez, Juanita Benavidez, Gabriel Hernandez, Benito Hernandez, Benita Arjon, Gloria Caldwell, Juan Hernandez, Jr., Joseph Hernandez, Frances Sisneros, Patricia Hernandez, and Christina Lopez. Juan is also survived by 35 grandchildren, 77 great-grandchildren, and 20 great-great-grandchildren.