James A. Fernandez Obituary James A. Fernandez, 75, of Trinidad, Colorado passed away on January 17, 2022 at his home in Trinidad. He was born on November 20, 1946 at the home of his parents, Alex and Ida Fernandez, in Trinidad, Colorado. He graduated from Trinidad High School in 1964 and received a drafting degree from Trinidad State Jr. College in 1966. After graduating from college, he was drafted into the United States Army and served during the Vietnam War for two years as a radio operator in the helicopter unit. Prior to being drafted into the U.S. Army, he married his high school sweetheart Sharon (married for 54 years), and upon his return from Vietnam, he began working for his father’s business Fernandez Plumbing and Heating for over a year before being offered a job with the City of Trinidad as a draftsman. He continued his career with the City of Trinidad as the Utilities Superintendent for 42 years while amassing many notable accomplishments such as leading three separate departments (water, sewer, and gas), obtaining multiple certifications and securing better equipment and working conditions for all of his employees. His greatest achievement was the allocation of funding and overseeing the major renovation of the North Lake Dam. He was loved by his employees and co-workers and was a very well respected member of the community. In addition to his dedication to the City of Trinidad, he was a very talented artist who loved to draw and oil paint Native American imagery and work on model cars. A few of his passions included looking for arrowheads with his family, fishing at Monument Lake, growing his own fruit trees, and reading his Bible daily. He also loved and lived for both his immediate and extended family (his siblings, grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews) and was a very dedicated and beloved father, husband, and son. His most precious moments were the time spent with his family and his favorite holiday was Thanksgiving. He is preceded in death by his mother Ida and father Alex, mother-in-law Alberta, father-in-law Wilfred, infant son David James, sister-in-law Rita, brother-in[1]law George, three brothers-in-law, and one sister-in-law on his wife’s side. He is survived by his wife Sharon, daughters Brenda and Pandora, grandchildren Amanda and Jeff, Brother John Fernandez, Sisters Yvonne Fields, Lydia Shea (Danny), Arlene Robinson (Larry) and Janet Smith (Brian), sister-in-law Carol and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. Visitation will be at the Comi Funeral home on Thursday the 27th at 2 pm for family and 3- 7pm for the public. Funeral service on Friday the 28th at 1 pm at Faith Christian Fellowship located at 2608 Santa Fe Trail. Interment will follow at the Masonic Cemetery with graveside services conducted by the US Army Honor Guard. Active Pallbearers are Jim Fernandez, Steve Fernandez, JP Fernandez, Larry Robinson, Danny Shea, and Clint Myers. In lieu of flowers, the family would like donations to be sent to the American Diabetes Association or the American Kidney Fund in his name. The family respectfully requests that masks be worn for the visitation and funeral service. Arrangements made under the direction of the Comi Funeral
Home.
