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John Hernandez June 24, 1953 - October 18, 2018

John Hernandez, age 65 of Rogersville, Missouri walked on, early Thursday morning, October 18, 2018 while being a patient in Cox South Hospital, Springfield. He was born June 24, 1953, in San Antonio, Texas the son of Jose and Juanita (Contreras) Hernandez. On September 20, 1980 he was united in marriage to Jean Holdren.

John was a member of the Quapaw Gourds Society and enjoyed teaching primitive skills and storytelling of the Native American culture and history. He was very active in native drumming and singing and especially excelled at teaching his skills and education to the children. John was a member of the Mescalero Apache Nation. During the early 1970’s, John proudly served his country as a member of the United States Army during the Vietnam War and received an honorable discharge after serving his tour. This November John would have celebrated his 30 year anniversary for sobriety and he was very proud of his accomplishment.

John is survived by his wife Jean Hernandez; daughter Maria Chavela Hernandez; two grandchildren Connor and Aria; his father and mother-in-law; four sisters Patricia Zepeta, Christin Gomez, Natalia Hernandez, Janett Hernandez and a brother Victor Daniel Hernandez. John was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers and one sister.

Friends and family are invited to share visitation time 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. Monday, October 22, 2018 in Barnes Family Funeral Home, Ozark. Private family funeral services with burial are under the direction of Barnes Family Funeral Home. On line condolences may be shared at www.barnesfamilyfunerals.com

 

Condolences(17)

  1. REPLY
    Bruce Stephens says

    We will all miss John’s smiling face in our camps and around our campfires. He was a welcome guest at our events, Rendezvous and a respected individual. The members of Delaware Trace Free-trappers club wish your family sincere condolences. We have made a donation to the American Diabetics Association in John’s honor. God bless you.

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    David E. Pitts says

    The highest compliment that God ever gave a man was to say that he was “good”. John Hernandez was a good man. He was a friend in constant pain but I never heard him complain. His positive contributions to our society were a multitude. I will miss him.

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    Julie Alexander says

    Jeannie I am so sorry for your loss. God bless you and your family.

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    Keith says

    Walk in peace my brother.

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    DONALD Kraeger says

    Rest in Peace, Brother. You will be missed by many, many people across all walks of life.

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    Chris Gamez says

    Jeanie and Maria words cant describe what I am feeling right now. I know John knew how much I loved him. He was the one person who I could always call and he would make me laugh no matter what was going on. He and I could talk. joke, laugh and cry all in one phone call. I thank you for all you have done for him you made him a better person. I am so sad that I can not be there but I will Always have him with me. I love you both so much and pray that you have the peace and comfort at this time. Sorry I could not make this trip but I do plan to come up one day and visit

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    Don Brink says

    John will be missed at the Bois d’ Arc gathering and Primitive Skills Day at the Springfield Nature Center where he was always the featured event. John was also a close personal friend and a warrior. My deepest condolences go out to the family.

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    Kelly says

    We were once at a concert and he sat in the row behind us. My little daughter was fidgety so he told her a story. He was a charming and generous soul. I will always appreciate his kind spirit …

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    Cindy and Bill Scott says

    So sorry for your loss. John was a very special man who will be missed by many. May you find peace in God’s love.

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    Tonya Stephenson says

    To the Beloved family of Brother John,
    I first met this wonderful man of wisdom when my family was doing the Trail of Tears event at Borders years ago, Tallbird and Shirley Ryan who are with our Creator know. I love watching my Dad Tallbird and John exchange knowledge for me as a daughter it always the meeting of the Storytellers. I will always remember his smile , laugh and music. Many blessings from my home to yours,
    Tonya Hummingbird Stephenson

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    Nicole says

    I worked with john 10 years, my son was 10 and adores him, funny and smart, he call me flower child in apache for my peace, love, and happiness goals, the world is a dimmer place without him

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    Katrina Green says

    I drove John to dialysis for a while, I remember the first time I meet him he got in the van and said that I had just mixed seeing the bear. I loved to hear his stories and him singing in the Apache language. He liked to tease others and keep them going. When I stopped driving the Senior Center bus, he was one that I missed. He was fun to be around. Thank you for sharing him with me.

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    Penny Bradshaw says

    I am so very sorry for your loss!! I know many of us at the Dialysis unit will miss him very much!! His sense of humor, his stories, and his spirit. He made my day every day I seen him. He always gave me a hard time but it was welcomed!!! My thoughts and prayers are with each and everyone of y’all.

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    KIM COOK says

    I’M SO SORRY TO HEAR OF THE LOSS OF JOHN. I WORKED WITH JOHN MANY YEARS AGO AT BASS PRO. HE WAS SUCH A JOY TO BE AROUND AND SO MUCH FUN. WHEN I LEFT, HE GAVE ME A LITTLE FOX MADE OUT OF TURQUOISE. I HAVE ALWAYS CHERISHED IT AND ALWAY WILL. MAY GOD HOLD THE FAMILY IN HIS ARMS DURING THIS SAD TIME. RIP MY FRIEND.

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    Karen Rose-Zimmerman says

    I am honored to have had the chance to share circle with John at Bois D’Arc gathering, I first met him in 2015 and listened in a small evening gathering to his storytelling. And looked forward to coming back together with him each year. He will be greatly missed, and for sure for me Bois D’Arc won’t quite be the same. His humor, his smile, his intenseness while drumming and singing his songs, and describing what they said (as I don’t know the language). Freedom now John, no ties to earthly pain. Peace.

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    Janea Coker says

    Dear Family of John Hernandez-
    I worked with John for many years as he did storytelling for us at many of the Barry Lawrence Regional Library Branches. I loved spending time with him and his friends TC and Wanda Corning during some of those programs. His laughter was amazing. He made our families and staff smile. His storytelling and songs were great. He was a very special person that touched so many hearts. He will be missed and your family are in my thoughts and in my prayers.

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    Ruby Smith says

    Jeanie and Maria
    I “worked’ with John many years through our connections with Community Partnership. It was never work when he was around! I can’t decide what I enjoyed more his stories, singing or playing! One day when we were talking and laughing, I said how do Jeanie and Maria put up with you and he said “They’re lucky!” We all were! He made cultural diversity beautiful for children and adults across Southwest Missouri. God has a wonderful drummer in heaven — I’ll be listening for him in the thunder!

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