Michael Anthony Hernandez

Michael Anthony Hernandez was born on October 29th, 1960 to loving parents Merce and Frances Hernandez, both still living. With two brothers, Merce Jr. and Louis, and two sisters, Angela (Ochoa) and Kryss (Heflin), he spent a happy childhood on the Southwest side of Oklahoma City. Michael attended both Mount Saint Mary’s and U.S. Grant High Schools. Michael was a beautiful person. He enjoyed looking good and encouraged others to always look their best. His family and friends often laughed with him about his fastidious habits and constant attention to personal grooming. To those looking in from the outside, this might have seemed to be arrogance but that was far from the truth. When the joking was done, Michael was a very humble person, always concerned for the well-being of those around him. Money didn’t stay in Michael’s pocket for long. He would frequently spend every dime to ensure that his numerous nieces and nephews had the best possible gifts at Christmas or something special for their birthday. After marrying Lauren and being blessed with two beautiful daughters, Amber (Liles) and Danielle, Michael went back to school and earned a nursing license. For many years his compassion, coupled with his nursing skills allowed him to comfort elderly and otherwise ailing individuals. He worked mostly in settings where he had the same patients for long periods of time. Michael loved his patients and they loved him. Michael loved to dance and loved good music. He enjoyed being the host at parties and it made him very happy to stand at the back of the room with his long-time companion, Gene Thomas, watching others laugh and have fun. Following a divorce, Michael had lost contact with his daughters, Amber and Danielle. This was one of the great sorrows of his life. When God answered his prayers and brought them back into his life, not even an aggressive form of cancer could diminish his joy during his last year of life on this earth. As Amber prepares to finish medical school and even more importantly prepares for the birth of her first child, and Danielle readies herself for many new adventures after graduating with honors from UCO in Edmond, Ok, Michael can now watch their progress from above with no pain, no tears. Their involvement in his life this past year was without a doubt what kept him going far longer than the doctors predicted. Lauren also gave him strength he didn’t know he had. Michael was diagnosed with cancer in February, 2012 and lost the courageous battle with the dark disease on Friday, May 10th, 2013. Cancer may have claimed his physical body but it can’t infect the beautiful memories we have of Michael’s life. It was very important to Michael to get to see Danielle graduate from UCO on Saturday, May 11th. It was easy at first to be angry and hurt that God took Michael just one day before he reached that goal - but as with everything, we are limited by our earthly brains, while God, in His omnipotence, knows all. Michael was there, with the best seat in the fieldhouse. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Michael Anthony Hernandez please visit our Sympathy Store.