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Antonio Hernandez, a loving husband, wonderful father and grandfather, and successful coach, has entered eternal rest at the age of 78. A native of Laredo, Texas, Antonio, or Tony to his friends and family, passed peacefully in San Antonio, Texas on March 20, 2023. Tony’s true passion, along with his family, was his love of coaching. After graduating from historic Martin High School in 1963, Tony began his long and successful coaching career. Beginning in the mid-60’s, Coach Hernandez, as his players called him, found success at every level of coaching. In 1968, Tony was honored by the Laredo Parks and Recreation for winning the Club Juniors State Basketball Championship. His coaching career peaked in 1974 when he took Laredo St. Augustine to the State Finals, where he finished runner up in the Texas Class AA Texas Catholic Interscholastic League. Tony’s retirement from coaching in the 70’s was on the front page of the Laredo Morning Times. Tony would talk about the love he had for his players and how much he respected their willingness to adhere to his tough coaching and legendary difficult outdoor practices. Decades after his retirement, he was able to recall many of his players, many of whom were all-district and all-state selections. Even recently, he would talk about how proud he was that many of his former players were successful in work and family. Tony would bring his whistle out of retirement when he was hired at Clark Middle School in the 90’s. Although his players were middle schoolers, he coached with the same intensity and determination that he did when he was competing for state championships. Tony would get slightly embarrassed when former players would bring up his coaching intensity. Practices included running the same play dozens and dozens of times in until it was perfect. At one point in a middle school game, Coach got so upset he smashed a clipboard during a timeout. When someone would bring it up, Tony would reply “is that all anyone remembers?!” with a slight chuckle. However, his favorite memories of his time at Clark Middle were coaching his son and daughter in basketball. In true Coach Hernandez fashion, his kids were not given special treatment. However, much like his time in the 70’s, Tony experienced years of success prior to his retirement. Post retirement, Tony loved assisting his son with coaching track and field. The players saw Coach Tony more as a grandfather-figure and friend as his intensity lessened and turned more to mentoring and teaching. Tony later moved to San Antonio with his beautiful wife, Mary Jane. Antonio Hernandez is preceded in death by his parents, Manuel and Mauricia Hernandez. Antonio is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Mary Jane Hernandez. He is also survived by his children: daughter Melissa Bazan and son-in-law, Raymond Bazan and son James Hernandez and daughter-in-law Ana Vela Hernandez. Tony’s pride and joy were his four grandchildren. They are, from oldest to youngest, Julia Rose Hernandez, Claudia E. Bazan, Alejandro M. Bazan, and James Anthony Hernandez Jr. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research. A private memorial will be held at Mission Park North Funeral Home in San Antonio, Texas.

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Antonio Hernandez

November 22, 1944 - March 20, 2023