Gilberto L. Hernandez

Gilberto (Beto) was born in Del Rio, Texas to Juan and Juanita Hernandez. He was one of five children, Gabino, Gabriela, Luis, Gilberto, and Pedro. The children helped to support the family by taking time off from school and working in the fields of California picking cotton, olives and cactus. He was the only one to graduate from the 8th grade. He is proceeded in death by his parents and his brothers Gabino and Pedro.

In Del Rio, he met Olivia and in 1952 they were married in Mexico. They moved to California and had their first child, Javier in 1953. Shortly after, He was drafted into the Army and served for 2 years. On the base, he would drive the bus, at one time driving the Andrew Sisters to their destination.

After leaving the Army, Beto got a job at the Pacific States Steel mill in Niles, California. In 1957 they purchased their first home in Niles. Beto and Olivia assed 3 children to the family, daughters, Sandra, Mary, and Susan. After working 28 years, the Pacific States Mill closed down. He would start a second career at Gillig, helping to build busses which he did for 15 years until his retirement.

Beto was a devoted Catholic and parishioner of Corpus Christi Church since 1957. He read the bible daily.

Beto was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. He loved spending time with his family, attending soccer games, wrestling matches, baseball games, track meets, as well as playing with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He enjoyed watching his favorite team, the Oakland Raiders, play football. He loved going to Jackson Rancheria and play the slot machines. He loved to play games, like Yahtzee, dominoes and cards. He was a lot of fun to be with and we will all miss his sense of humor, his laughter, his smile but most of all his love.

Beto is survived by his wife, Olivia; Son, Javier and wife, Maryann; Daughters, Sandra, Mary and Susan; Eleven Grandchildren, Javier Jr., William, Daniel, Danella, Alexandria, Stephanie, William, Angie, Kelly, Mary and Robert; and Sixteen Great Grandchildren, Vanessa, Jessica, Javier Jr., Marissa, Sophia, Alexander, Julian, Viviana, Lysette, Felix, Roman, Logan, Mateo, Kairi and Adolph.