Fernando A Herrera,'s Obituary
Fernando Antonio Herrera, MD, beloved father and friend, passed away on December 19, 2013. Dr. Herrera was born in San Luis, Potosi, Mexico to Fernando Herrera Montes De Oca and Susana Pedraza Vazquez on January 17th, 1943, the oldest of eight children. He moved to the United States at a young age to complete his medical training, and dedicated himself to the art of surgery and saving lives. Freddie changed the lives of all who knew him and always took interest in the disadvantaged, often providing life-changing opportunities to those many might overlook. Dr. Herrera was a member of an extensive list of societies and colleges, including the American Board of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Memphis Surgical Society, and Southern Thoracic Society. He is survived by his eight beloved children, Maria Brennan, Claudia Thompson (Brian), Fernando, Jr., MD, Andrew, Evan, Alexander, Tucker, and Brayden; four grandchildren, Ryan Brennan, Aiden Brennan, Dylan Thompson, and Reagan Thompson; as well as Brittany Tumey, the mother of his two youngest children. He is also survived by his dear and devoted friends, Rafaela Herrera, MD; Tom and Robin Watson; Marty Regan; and Tricia Campbell, who worked tirelessly as his right hand for many years. Freddie is further survived by his best friend and “brother from another mother” John Kurdelmeyer and his amazing wife Rhonda, as well as numerous colleagues upon whose lives he has left an indelible impact. He will be sorely missed. The family will receive friends from 1 p.m. until the funeral service begins at 3 p.m. Sunday, December 22 at Memorial Park Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to the Dr. Fernando Herrera Scholarship at the University of Tennessee, by a gift to the UT Foundation, UT Health Science’s College of Medicine to the attention of Zach Pretzer, Development Director, 625 Dunlap St., #513, Memphis, TN 38163.Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery 5668 Poplar Ave. Memphis, TN 38119, (901)767-8930, “Behind the Stone Wall”
What’s your fondest memory of Fernando?
What’s a lesson you learned from Fernando?
Share a story where Fernando's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Fernando you’ll never forget.
How did Fernando make you smile?