Fernando “Banana” Llanes

Published 2:42 pm Monday, September 14, 2015

Fernando “Banana” Llanes, age 74, died surrounded by his wife and children, Friday September 11, 2015, after a long and hard fought fight with cancer. He is survived by his wife, Mary Alice Llanes, Daughter, Felicia Bares, spouse Roy Bares; Son Fernando “Chico” Llanes The II, spouse Monica and 4 grand children, Samantha, Isabel, Addison and Emily.
He is preceded in death by his father, Jose Maria Llanes; Mother, Elvira Morales; Brothers, Marcelo and Augustine. Fernando grew up in Cuba hoping to escape the poverty and hardships of a dictatorship.  He came to the United States as an experienced horse trainer to help in a show, and was allowed to remain, making America his new home. Although Fernando had no formal education in the character we all came to know, he made a good life for himself and his family.  All who met Fernando immediately could see him as a hard and skilled worker.
He was an excellent horse trainer, welder, farmer, Chef, Baker, Butcher, cowboy and cattleman; but he achieved his highest level of accomplishment at being a Loving Husband, a Caring Father and a True Friend.  All that really knew him understood they were better off for doing so and in knowing him, could easily look beyond his rough edges as found in a chunk of coal, to see what he was, a true diamond of a man.
He was a church member of Our lady of Guadalupe and prayed with love to the Blessed Mary and to Jesus our Lord and Savior.  Visitation will be from 5 PM to 9 PM at Clayton Thompson on Monday, September 14, with a Rosary at 6pm.  A Mass of Christian burial will be on Tuesday September 15, 2015 at 2 P.M. at Our Lady of Guadalupe church, Rev. Urbano Saenz officiating.  Burial will follow at Oak Bluff Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to The Saint Jude’s Children Research Hospital at (800) 822-6344.