Gabriel Equia Hernandez of San Marcos, Texas passed away on Thursday, July 15, 2021, at the age of 82, surrounded by his loving family. Gabriel, known by many as Lito, was born on March 18th, 1939 in San Marcos, Texas. He was dedicated to his family, friends, and business. A successful entrepreneur, he opened Gabriel and Son Upholstery in 1974 and ran the business for 45 years before retiring in 2019.
Gabriel was a long-standing member of the Knights of Columbus Council 3458 and a lifelong parishioner of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in San Marcos, where he was involved in many fundraisers and church activities. Additionally, Gabriel enjoyed participating in local menudo cook-offs.
He and his wife Delia loved hosting gatherings at their home and enjoyed any opportunity to be with family and friends. Gabriel’s passions were cigars, cars, and above all, running his shop. He also had a great sense of style and loved to go shopping. Gabriel took pride in his manicured yard and enjoyed drinking a “cold one” on his back porch. He was a great friend to many and always gave a helping hand to friends or others in need.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Delia Hernandez, his parents Vincente and Maria Hernandez, sisters, Hermelinda Acosta, Hortencia Rodriguez, Camarina Garcia, Terry Pacheco, and brothers, Fidel Hernandez and Arthur Hernandez. He is survived by his brother David Hernandez (Betty), three children, Patricia Spivey (Michael), Robert Ray Hernandez (Laura), and Maribel Rivas (David), six grandchildren, Sean Michael Spivey, Ryan Gabriel Spivey, Robert Ray Hernandez II, Joseph Alexander Hernandez, Rachel Garza (David) and John Thomas Ruiz (Vanessa) and five great grandchildren.
Gabriel’s family would like to personally thank the staff of Christus Santa Rosa Hospice for the compassionate care they provided him. They would also like to thank his caregivers, Anna Zamarripa-Limon, Irma Gonzales, Maria Veda-Vasquez, Nichole Alaniz, and Diana Moreno who selflessly cared for him in his time of need. His family is at peace knowing he was cared for so lovingly and treated with the highest level of dignity. Gabriel will be missed dearly by his family and all who knew him.
Visitation will be held Wednesday, July 28th, 6-8 p.m., with Recitation of the Holy Rosary at 7:00PM at St. John the Evangelist Church, 624 East Hopkins St. in San Marcos. Mass of Christian Burial will take place Thursday, July 29th, 10:00AM at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, followed by burial at Memory Lawn Memorial Park in Martindale.
Arrangements in care of Pennington Funeral Home, 323 N. Comanche, San Marcos, Texas 78666. 512-353-4311 ~ www.penningtonfuneralhome.com.
