Miguel "Mike" Fernandez, 82, Austin, Texas

Miguel "Mike" Fernandez, 82, died December 22 of complications from Parkinson's, a disease he battled for 16 years with characteristic military discipline and courage.

He was born in 1929 in Laredo to Miguel and Catalina (Mireles) Fernandez, the eldest of three children. Though he would never forget his roots, Mike also had an adventurous side that made him wonder about what else was out there. Thus, in 1946 he enlisted in the Army and was subsequently sent to Japan as a member of the Occupation Forces following World War II. Once there, he heartily embraced Japanese culture and custom; often in his later life, Mike would call Japan "my second home."

In 1951, he married his life partner, Nakako Komine of Kuriyama, Seitama Prefecture. They had met one day when she and her sister were out in the cold searching for coal, and he offered them a ride in his Jeep. In that simple act of kindness, a 60-year bond was forged, which would sustain them throughout their lives. They had four children: Yuki and John, who both died in infancy; and Miguel and Edward.

During his 23-year military career, he served in the Army and then the Air Force, stationed in Japan, Korea, New Mexico, and Texas. He retired in 1969 in Austin, and then began a second career with the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board as a data processing specialist. He retired from the State in 1996, the same year he was diagnosed with Parkinson's. With his strict exercise regimen and diet, he forestalled many of the insidious effects of the disease. He also enjoyed his daily walks with Naka around the St. Edward's campus, and he kept his mind active with his woodworking projects out in the garage.

Fernandez was predeceased by his sister, Elena (Helen), and brother, Raymundo. He is survived by his wife; son Mike, daughter-in-law Alma Reyes and grandson Lucas of Houston; son Ed and daughter-in-law Patricia Crume of Austin; brother-in-law Lupe Flores of San Antonio; sister-in-lay, Paulita Fernandez of Mexico; niece Patricia Brindley (Jim) of Sugar Land; nephew Richard Flores of Round Rock; two grandnephews Richard and David Brindley (Becky) of Dallas; and numerous cousins and relatives in Laredo.

Visitation will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. Tuesday at Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home, 2620 S. Congress with recitation of the holy rosary at 7:00 PM. Funeral services are scheduled for 10:00 A.M. Wednesday at the funeral home. Interment will follow at Assumption Cemetery with full military honors.

The family would like to thank Mike and Naka's wonderful neighbors as well as the entire St. Edward's community for all of their help and support. Memorials may be made to the Capital Area Parkinson's Society or a charity of choice.

Source: http://weareaustin.tributes.com/show/Miguel-Mike-Fernandez-92979583

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