Atilano Castro Hernandez

Atilano Castro Hernandez went by many names, one for almost every family generation: “Tito”, “Grave”, “Dad”, “Pops”, “Grandpy”, and “Grandpa”. He was most proud of being called “Grandpa”. Born October 17, 1948 in Hale Center, Texas. Grandpa was the youngest of his siblings and grew up with a very close knit family. He performed with several bands as a young man and taught himself to play the accordion, guitar, keyboard, saxophone, trumpet, bass guitar and many more instruments. He had a keen ear for music. Drafted into the Army in 1969, he honorably served during the Vietnam War from 1969 - 1971. He also performed with the military band during his service time in Germany and was a proud veteran. 

Grandpa enjoyed spending time playing the accordion, guitar, and keyboard and jamming with the family. He played those instruments all the way until a week before passing. You may have seen Grandpa at the movies, library, at Hilltop bird watching, or on the B-Bus. So many people knew Grandpa. He enjoyed riding the B-Bus to his sister Mere’s house and talking to different people on the way. He rode it almost everyday for 10 years. Traveling, history, science, and math were a few of his favorite interests. You could always find him with the newspaper, a book, crossword puzzle, watching the Washington Journal or the SYFY channel. As excited as a kid at a candy store, grandpa loved when family would bring him some pecan pie, cookies, banana pudding, empanadas, marranitos, or any sweet treat. He loved sweets. He always cracked cheesy jokes, had a big smile on his face, and was always in a good mood. In July 2024, he was able to travel to New Braunfels one last time. He was so ecstatic that he made the trip and spent time with his son, daughter-in-law, and granddaughter. He talked about it for days after, expressing that it was the most fun being able to travel again. 

Grandpa taught his family love, the beauty of silence, patience, humility, and how to be grounded in happiness in every stage of life no matter what was going on. The only time his family saw him frown a little is when the Dallas Cowboys would lose. He blamed Dak. 

As many nicknames that he had, he also gave much of his family and grandkids nicknames as terms of endearment.. He is survived and will be truly missed by his wife Dolores Hernandez “Grave”, 5 children (4 daughters and 1 son): Sandra (Douglas) Ruth, Carmen (Bobby) Fitzgerald, Letty (Nick) Sanchez, Atilano (Lori) Hernandez Jr, Rosie Hernandez, 10 grandchildren: Destiny “NeeNee” (Jonathan) Cavazos, Celeste “Tutu” Paiz, Brian “Baby Bry” Hernandez, Samara “Shammy Beary” Hernandez, Tristan “Tristy Boy” Ruth, Adam “Chucky Boy” Paiz, Angelica “Jelly” Murillo, Isabelle “Izzy” Murillo, Adalynn “Addie” Ruth, Kezia “Twinkie” Figueroa, 2 great grandchildren: Andrew “Android” Villareal, and Noah “Baby Noah” Cavazos, 2 sisters: Maria “Mere” Contreras, Natalia “La Guera” Torres, his closest cousin Angel “Slo” Hernandez, the family dog Flamique “Stinky”, and many cousins, nieces and nephews. 

He’s preceded in passing by his loving parents Macario and Josefa Hernandez, his brothers: Adam “La Posera” Hernandez, Lupe “Pio” Hernandez, and Jose Eliberto “Beto” Hernandez. 

Grandpa will be missed until we see him again and his family will continue to honor him by singing together, loving each other, and keeping a smile on their faces in every stage of life.