Frank Hernandez

      A celebration of life for Frank Hernandez, age 72, of Lufkin will be held Saturday, April 26, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. at Venue 79 located at 2954 TX-79 Wichita Falls, TX with his nephew Willie Dominguez officiating. Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Shafer Funeral Home. 

      Frank was born on February 18, 1953, in Wichita Falls, TX to Frank Sr. and Becky Mauricio Hernandez and died Friday April 4th at a local hospice facility with his loving wife, Vicki, by his side. 

      Frank started working at a very young age when he started his own shoe shining business.  Frank worked doing numerous unique and interesting jobs throughout his life. He worked as a mystery shopper, plumbers assistant, locksmith, welder, and massage therapist.  He also worked at a glass factory, built computers and traveled the country building roller coasters. He retired at the age of 63 from Angelina Tank where he built and delivered tanks to the oil fields of South Texas.  He attended Angelina College studying real estate and earned numerous certifications online with Stratford University.  Frank also had a strong entrepreneurial spirit which led him to open several businesses and restaurants.  He and his wife Vicki worked together to open Frank’s Fireworks, Hwy 69 North Trade Days and Central Station Drive-in all in Lufkin. 

       As a young man Frank was a Golden Gloves boxer, wrestler, gymnast, and bodybuilder.  Frank absolutely loved his family and enjoyed spending time with them.  He loved to dance, listen to music, cook, shoot pool, and create fireworks displays for friends and family.  Frank loved to build things and would come up with unique ways to solve problems and entertain his grandchildren.  He and his wife enjoyed traveling together around the USA and had the opportunity to travel to Italy as well.

        Frank is survived by his wife of 19 years Vicki Ripley Hernandez, children and their spouses Leticia Hernandez and Paul, Micah Sharp and Dallas, and Chris Garcia and Mason; grandchildren Megan Palacios, Marley (Max) Sharp, Jackson and Olivia Garcia; great grandson Matthew Trevino; mother Becky Hernandez; sisters and spouses Lollie Garbow and Dale, Eva Luna and Joe, Terry Hernandez and brother Eddie Hernandez; mother-in-law Frances Ripley; sisters-in-law Debra Walsh and Hope Hernandez along with numerous nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his son Mark Hernandez, his father Frank Hernandez Sr., brother Ernest (Ernie) Hernandez, sister Dollie Jaramillo, father-in-law Kenneth Ripley and brothers-in-law Ben Jaramillo and Michael Walsh.

        Special thanks to our Hospice in the Pines care team especially our angel nurses Danielle and Michelle.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Hospice in the Pines or the charity of your choice.  Frank believed in living life to the fullest and “taking it to the limit”, he will always be remembered as our hero and Vicki’s knight in shining armor.

        Shafer Funeral Home, Lufkin directors.