JOHN PHILIP FERNANDEZ

John Philip Fernandez, 47, of Murphy, North Carolina, died unexpectedly on Tuesday, September 12, 2017 at his home.

John was born on November 19, 1969 in Kansas City, MO to Donald Raymond, Sr. and Minnie Rose (Nash) Fernandez. He married Wanda Marie Wynn of Lutz, FL on February 6, 1993. She survives of the home along with his four legged son, Mister.

Additional survivors include; two brothers and two sisters-in-law, Donald, Jr. and Gail Fernandez of Richmond and Joseph and Dianna Fernandez of Lee's Summit, MO; four sisters and two brothers-in-law, Linda and Kevin Pemburlin of Richmond, Susan Fernandez- Garrett of Elmira, MO, Amy Fernandez- Paris of Cunningham, KS and Mary and Jeff Harding of Chillicothe, MO.

In addition to his parents, John was preceded in death by his grandmother, Marie Mahar.

John was born in Kansas City, MO and moved to Richmond as a child, he graduated from the Richmond High School. John had always been a hardworking man even at a young age, where he mowed many lawns in Richmond and worked as a bagger at the grocery store. After High School he joined the United States Air Force where he served his country for 24 years as an Air Force Administrative Specialist reaching the rank of Master Sargent, retiring in 2012. John had served overseas during the first Gulf War, where he met his wife. He also served in Operation Iraqi Freedom and served in Operation Enduring Freedom while stationed overseas in Turkey.

The family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Disabled American Veterans in honor of Master Sergeant John P. Fernandez.

Private family graveside services were held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 21, 2017 at Woodland Cemetery in Richmond.  Full Military Honors were provided by the Whiteman Air Force Base Honor Guard.  On line condolences may be left on our website at www.thurmanfuneralhome.com