Ad Astra: Ralph Fernandez, 12 March, 2007

FERNANDEZ, RALPH RAUL - age 77 of Lenoir City, passed away Monday, March 12, 2007 at the Parkwest Medical Center. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather. He was a member of the St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church and was a veteran of the U.S. Army. Ralph was a graduate of the University of Houston. He was an electrical engineer at Kennedy Space Center where he worked on the Mercury - Atlas, Apollo, and Sky Lab missions. He later retired from T. V. A. Ralph was a volunteer tutor at Lenoir City Elementary School for 5th grade students and volunteered at the Baptist Health Care Center. He was an avid golfer. Preceded in death by: parents, Raymond and Maria Fernandez; brothers, Rudy and Ernest Fernandez and sister, Jovita Balderas. Survived by: his wife of 18 years, Ruth Ann Fernandez; son, Thomas John Fernandez of Knoxville; daughter, Anna-Marie Snyder and husband, Paul Snyder III of Mt. Joy, PA; grandchildren, Katelyn Marie Snyder and Paul Snyder IV; sisters, Dora Fernandez and Minerva Nerios both of League City, TX; loved by numerous nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 17th at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church with Father David Boettner officiating. A reception will follow at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the church or the charity of your choice. Click Funeral Home, Lenoir City is in charge of arrangements. www.clickfuneralhome.com.