José "Joe" Arturo Hernandez

December 25,1973 - January 15, 2025

It is with heavy hearts and great sadness that we announce the passing of Jose “Joe” Arturo Hernandez. Joe passed away peacefully in the early morning of Wednesday, January 15, 2025 in El Paso, TX.

Joe was born on December 25,1973, in Roswell, NM to Igancio Hernandez and Martha Ortiz. He was raised in Hagerman, NM where he graduated with the class of 1992. After completing college in Arizona, he found his way to Ruidoso, NM. His love for the outdoors, fishing, and golfing, along with the colder weather and beautiful scenery are some of the reasons Ruidoso was home for Joe.

He was a loyal, die-hard Dallas Cowboys fan, he also loved watching the Simpsons, listening to the Beatles, and all things Star Wars. Joe had a passion for cooking, which led him to becoming a chef. He loved connecting with people through his many chef positions and delicious culinary creations. One of his proudest moments was cooking for and meeting the Dallas Cowboys, 3-time Super Bowl Champ, Jay Novacek. He also loved his cat Bella, his friends, his family, and his greatest love was being a dad to his boys.

If you knew Joe, you knew he was generous, kind-hearted with a friendly personality, funny sense of humor, and made friends everywhere he went. He has left a lasting impact on all who had the privilege of knowing him. His spirit will continue to resonate within the hearts of those who loved him. Words can't describe how much he was loved and how much he will be missed.

Those left to grieve his passing are his sons Christian Hernandez of Capitan, NM and Elijah Hernandez of Carrizozo, NM; Mother, Martha Ortiz of Hagerman, NM; sister, Flor Morales of Layton, UT; niece, Gabriela Morales of Layton, UT; nephews, Martin Hernandez Jr. of Albuquerque, NM and Nicolas Morales of Layton, UT; numerous cousins and dear friends.

Joe is preceded in death by his brother, Martin Hernandez; grandparents, Serapio and Mauricia De La Rosa Ortiz; uncle Pedro Ortiz; aunt Olivia Carrasco; numerous great aunts and uncles, cousins, and close dear friends.

Honored to serve as pallbearers are Bobby Baca, Juan Chavira, Ernie Romero, Larry Quiroz, Pat Lucero, Jose Chema Soto, and Esequiel Juarez. Honorary pallbearers are Sarah Dean, Christian Hernandez, Kayla Simpson, Elijah Hernandez, Randy Narveson, and his classmates from the Class of 1992.

Please join us to say our final farewell. Visitation will be held on Friday, January 24, 2025 at Saint Catherine’s Catholic Church, 206 E Texas, Hagerman, NM from 10:00 am to noon. Recitation of The Holy Rosary at 12:00 pm and Mass will begin at 12:30 pm. A Christian Burial will immediately follow at the Hagerman Cemetery.