Luis Chatico Fernandez

Luis Ernesto Fernandez Cruz, age 82, died peacefully at his home in West Jordan on December 23, 2021, where he was surrounded by family and friends. He was born on August 25, 1939 in Soacha, Colombia to Luis Ernesto Fernandez Castaneda and Ana Celia Cruz. He married Blanca Cecilia Acero Fernandez August 7, 1965. They joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1974 and were sealed in the Washington DC Temple March 13, 1979.

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He served in the Armed Forces of Colombia from 1957 to 1961. He received an Accounting Degree from Ataneo Commercial in 1976 and worked for American Insurance until he immigrated to the United States in 1981. He retired from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 2007, after 26 years of service.

His priorities were his family, faith, and soccer. Luis and his wife felt it was necessary to bring their young family to the United States, leaving behind his job, home, most of their belongings, and their extended family. One of his proudest moments was becoming a US Citizen in 1995. He loved serving in his church. Among his many callings, he served in the Stake Presidency, Bishopric, and High Council. He also loved serving in both the Jordan River and Oquirrh Mountain temples. He was so excited to serve as a volunteer in the 2002 Winter Olympics and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Christmas Concerts. He enjoyed playing soccer and boxing in his younger years and then watching his grandchildren play in their sports. He loved his Spanish music and the only way to listen to it for him was loud and his children have gladly taken up that mantle.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by his children, Sergio Fernandez (Consuelo), Cristina Fernandez Beidler (Eric), Haidy Fernandez; his four grandchildren Ashley Fernandez, Tatiana Beidler Birch (Ryan), Andrew Fernandez, and Rowan Beidler (Taylor); his former daughter-in-law Susan Fernandez;  his siblings Sara Fernandez, Isabella Santana Fernandez, Jesus Fernandez, Ruth Franco, Ligia Fernandez, Noemi Fernandez, Teresa Cordoba Fernandez; many nieces and nephews and their posterity; and his faithful dog Tyson. He was preceded in death by his parents and his sisters Suzana Echeverria, Hilda Fernandez Cruz, and Ana Hilda Fernandez

We would like to thank the hospice team and the various medical personnel for their kind and devoted service to Luis during these last few years and especially during his final moments.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM on Thursday, December 30 at the Copper Hills 8th Ward, 5349 West 9000 South, West Jordan, Utah.  Friends and family can attend a visitation an hour prior to the service, as well as from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM on Wednesday, December 29 at the same location. Interment to follow services at the Valley View Memorial Park,  4335 West 4100 South, West Valley City, Utah.

As a health precaution, our family is requiring everyone attending to wear a mask. We are also discouraging any hugging or shaking of hands. Thank you for keeping all of us safe.

For those unable to attend Luis’ services, Affordable Funerals and Cremations will be livestreaming all services December 29 and December 30. Please see instructions below on how to join.

Joining by computer

Go to zoom.us in any internet browser

Click “Join Meeting”

Enter the meeting ID – 8012878233

A box will open saying “https://zoom.us wants to open this application”. Click “Open Zoom”

Click “Join with Computer Audio”

Click “Mute” in the bottom left hand corner so that your audio does not interrupt the services

Joining by phone or iPad

Download the Zoom app

Open the app and select “Join a Meeting”

Enter the meeting ID – 8012878233

Select “Join without Audio”

Select “Call using Internet Audio”

Select “Mute” in the bottom left hand corner so that your audio does not interrupt the services