Dodge City - Ernesto O. Fernandez passed away peacefully on January 24, 2026, at his daughter's home in Fowler, Kansas, surrounded by family. He was born on November 11, 1927, in San Benito, Texas, to Eligio and Emilia Fernandez.

Ernesto loved spending time with his family, especially his children and grandchildren. Throughout his adult life, he worked in Nebraska and northern Kansas before settling in Dodge City, where he established his home. He worked in the agriculture industry for many years.

Ernesto enjoyed making piñatas for his grandchildren and attending their sporting events. H e was an avid baseball and boxing spectator, and his favorite team was the Atlanta Braves.

He was a devoted member of the Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Dodge City.

He is survived by his nine children: Santa Fernandez of Laredo, Texas; Maria Fernandez of Dodge City, Kansas; Eligio Fernandez of Dodge City, Kansas; Hugo (Paula) Fernandez of Wichita, Kansas; Graciela (Angel) Medrano of Fowler, Kansas; Javier (Sheryl) Fernandez of Godley, Texas; Ernest (Guadalupe) Fernandez of Dodge City, Kansas; Sissy (Efrain) Lira of Liberal, Kansas; and Layla (Ramon) Loya of Roswell, New Mexico. He is also survived by 29 grandchildren, 45 great-grandchildren, and 12 great-great- grandchildren. Additional survivors include two sisters, Trinidad Fernandez of San Antonio, Texas, and Amelia Fernandez of Dallas, Texas; and one brother, Margarito Fernandez of Garden City, Kansas. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 50 years, Andrea Rincon Fernandez; his parents, Eligio and Emilia Fernandez; his son, Silverio Fernandez; his brothers, Jose, Marcial, Anastacio, and Juan Fernandez; and his sisters, Margarita and Enriqueta Fernandez.

Funeral Mass will be held at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe, 3231 N. 14th Ave., Dodge City, Kansas, on Friday, January 30, 2026 at 10:00 a.m., with Father John Stang presiding. Burial will follow at Maple Grove Cemetery in Dodge City. Visitation will be held at Swaim Funeral Chapel on Thursday, January 29, 2026 from noon to 5:00 p.m. A vigil service will be held the same day at 7:00 p.m. at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Memorials are suggested to the National Kidney Foundation or to the Ford County Humane Society in care of the funeral home. Thoughts and memories may be shared in the online guest book at www.swaimfuneralhome.com.

The family would like to thank Rachel Haskins, Dr. John Borchard, and all of his care team for their compassion and care.

Dodge City - Ernesto O. Fernandez falleció pacíficamente el 24 de enero de 2026 en la casa de su hija en Fowler, Kansas, rodeado de su familia. Nació el 11 de noviembre de 1927 en San Benito, Texas, hijo de Eligio y Emilia Fernandez.

A Ernesto le encantaba pasar tiempo con su familia, especialmente con sus hijos y nietos. Durante su vida adulta, trabajó en Nebraska y el norte de Kansas antes de establecerse en Dodge City, donde fijó su residencia. Trabajó en la industria de agricultura durante muchos años.

A Ernesto le gustaba hacer piñatas para sus nietos y asistir a sus eventos deportivos. Era un ávido aficionado al béisbol y al boxeo, y su equipo favorito eran los Atlanta Braves.

Era un miembro devoto de la Catedral de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe en Dodge City.

Le sobreviven sus nueve hijos: Santa Fernandez de Laredo, Texas; Maria Fernandez de Dodge City, Kansas; Eligio Fernandez de Dodge City, Kansas; Hugo (Paula) Fernandez de Wichita, Kansas; Graciela (Angel) Medrano de Fowler, Kansas; Javier (Sheryl) Fernandez de Godley, Texas; Ernest (Guadalupe) Fernandez de Dodge City, Kansas; Sissy (Efrain) Lira de Liberal, Kansas; y Layla (Ramon) Loya de Roswell, Nuevo México. También le sobreviven 29 nietos, 45 bisnietos y 12 tataranietos. Otros sobrevivientes incluyen dos hermanas, Trinidad Fernandez de San Antonio, Texas, y Amelia Fernandez de Dallas, Texas; y un hermano, Margarito Fernandez de Garden City, Kansas. Le precedieron en la muerte su amada esposa de 50 años, Andrea Rincon Fernandez; sus padres, Eligio y Emilia Fernandez; su hijo, Silverio Fernandez; sus hermanos, Jose, Marcial, Anastacio y Juan Fernandez; y sus hermanas, Margarita y Enriqueta Fernandez.

La misa fúnebre se llevará a cabo en la Catedral de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, 3231 N. 14th Ave., Dodge City, Kansas, el viernes 30 de enero de 2026 a las 10:00 a.m., oficiada por el Padre John Stang. El entierro se realizará posteriormente en el Cementerio Maple Grove en Dodge City. El velorio se llevará a cabo en la Funeraria Swaim el jueves 29 de enero de 2026, de 12:00 a 5:00 p.m.. Se celebrará una vigilia ese mismo día a las 7:00 p.m. en la Catedral de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe. Se sugieren donaciones a la Fundación Nacional del Riñón o a la Sociedad Protectora de Animales del Condado de Ford, a través de la funeraria. Pueden compartir sus pensamientos y recuerdos en el libro de visitas en línea en www.swaimfuneralhome.com.

La familia desea agradecer a Rachel Haskins, al Dr. John Borchard y a todo su equipo médico por su compasión y atención.