Benjamin (Ben) Chavez Hernandez

Benjamin (Ben) Chavez Hernandez was born to Maria Socorro Chavez and Gamaliel Hernandez Loera on June 6, 1973 at White Memorial Hospital in Los Angeles, CA. A graduate of Los Altos High School in Hacienda Heights, CA and Full Sail University in Orlando, FL, he married Gina R. Gonzales Hernandez on December 31,1994 in Los Angeles, CA with whom he spent the next 24 years creating a family together that includes seven beautiful children: Sonora Raquel (25). Daniella Renee (23). Kasandra Nicole (20), Viviana Grace (15), Isabella Maria (12), Sophia Socorro (8) and Benjamin Josiah (5). He was ordained as a minister of the gospel in San Diego, CA on August 28, 2005 and also supported the family as a Project Manager in construction.  After a courageous three and a half month fight against an aggressive form of cancer that was diagnosed out of the blue on August 28, 2018, Ben entered his forever-home in heaven at 1:35 a.m. on December 16, 2018. Ben is also survived by sisters Damaris Hernandez Sarmiento (Magdiel Sarmiento), Ruthie (Cookie) Hernandez (Javi Hernandez), Tabitha Hernandez Blanton (Jeff Blanton), and brother Gamaliel (Jay) Chavez Hernandez (Lisa Gonzales Hernandez) along with sister-in-law Christina LaFontaine (Wade LaFontaine), nephews Hiram Sarmiento, Joseph Silva, Zachary Silva, Jason Hernandez, Guy LaFontaine, C.J. Blanton and nieces Julie Sarmiento, Adrienne Selina Silva, Jakie Sarmiento, Joni Mariah Silva, Regina Hernandez, Madeline Blanton, C.C. LaFontaine and mother-in-law, Jeanne Gonzales.  A loving husband and devoted father, Ben was known as a great musician, singer and lyricist, a fine athlete, a minister who genuinely loved the Lord and believed everything he preached, and mostly as a kind and gentle soul with a smile that brightened everyone’s day. His presence will be greatly missed. His legacy is one of faith, love and family. His life, while short, was full and deep. As he used to say about himself, “God blessed me with a wife who loves me unconditionally and a ‘quiver full of arrows’ (referring to his many children)! I am the wealthiest man in the world.” Ben, we honor you for a life well-lived, for the love you shared with so many, for your gift of music that you blessed us with, and for an unwavering faith in God that you taught us to have as well. You fought a good fight, you finished the course, you kept the faith. Well done, good and faithful servant; enter into your rest. We will hug you again one day! We love you Ben Hernandez - our husband and father - Man of Steel, Man of Heart.

6/6/73 - 12/16/18

Ben’s Celebration of Life service will be held on Saturday, 12/29/2018 at Cornerstone Church, 4680 Lexington Rd, Athens, GA 30605. No viewing; the body will lie in state from 1pm - 2pm; service starts at 2pm with burial immediately following at Athens Memory Gardens. A meal with the family follows the burial open to all who wish to attend; hosted by Brett’s Casual American Dining (Brett & Leslie McCullough) and Watkinsville First Baptist Church, 1610 Simonton Bridge Rd., Watkinsville, GA 30677.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to The Ben Hernandez Fund set up to assist Gina and the children. Please contact First American Bank & Trust between 9am - 5pm M-F at 706-354-5000. Burial arrangements: Lord and Stephens East, 706-546-1587, lordandstephens.com.