Louisiana Horse Breeder Bulldog Fernandez Dies

Bulldog Fernandez pictured with his Kim Jenkins' Call Me Cajun Pie at Evangeline Downs in 2013/

Courtesy Kim Jenkins

Fernandez bred Call Me Cajun Pie, a 7-year-old son of Call Me Together, who was recently, awarded the prestigious AQHA Racing Superior Race Horse Award. The stakes-placed gelding won or placed in 11 of 26 starts and earned $90,677.

Fernandez was born in New Orleans to the late Donato and Evelyn Deffes Fernandez and was a lifelong resident of St. Bernard Parish. He was a graduate of Chalmette High School, Class of 1975 and attended Louisiana Southwestern University. He was a salesman for B & G Crane Service for many years and was a member of the International Union of Operating Engineers - Local 406 and also the financial recording secretary and assistant business manager. He was a member of the Invinciple Masonic Lodge No. 360 and Louisiana Quarter Horse Breeders' Association.

Fernandez was an avid hunter and fisherman and enjoyed building boats. He will be forever remembered as a devoted family man and a loyal friend who was always eager to help anyone he could. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

He was the loving and devoted father of Donald Fernandez Jr. and the late Randy Paul Salez Jr. Proud grandfather of Carly Salez, Katherine Salez, Randi Salez and Layla Fernandez. He was the former husband of Kathy Hernandez Cheramie and is Godfather of Tyronne Cosplisch. Fernandez is also survived by cousins and lifelong friends Ralph Deffes, A.J. Hernandez and Danny Rodriguez.

Funeral services were conducted March 29, under the direction of St. Bernard Memorial Funeral Home, and he was interred at St. Vincent No.3 in Chalmette.