Fernando Mendez

Mr. Fernando Lumen Mndez, 86 went to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Friday, December 6, 2013. Fernando was born April 22, 1927 in Lares, Puerto Rico to the late Edelmiro Mndez-Serrano and Aurora Garcia-Gaya. After attending medical school in the Dominican Republic and Barcelona, Spain he enlisted in the United States Air Force where he participated in aero evacuation. He completed 80 successful jumps in his career. Fernando was very proud of his service to his country and loved sharing his service stories with anyone who would listen. He was able to travel throughout Europe, seeing his first snowfall in Sweden, and to every country in South America except Paraguay. He went on to complete Amazon River & jungle survival training in Iquitos, Peru. Fernando had a special love for the country and people of Columbia, South America, where he lived for over 30 years. He previously attended church in Liberty, NC and devoted much of his time to the Hispanic community there. He loved his family and enjoyed spending time with them. He enjoyed all sports especially UNC basketball and major league baseball. He was an avid reader, spending hours each day in his Bible or other book. A humble man, his true love was pastoring & counseling and sharing God's love and grace with everyone. He was a gentle, kind and loving man to everyone he met. He is survived by his son James F. Mndez of Gibsonville, daughter Carmen M. Clapp of Elon, daughter Teressa M. Campbell and husband Scott of Graham; two grandsons, Lacy N. Clapp and Benjamin L. Clapp; a brother Felix Mndez of Miramar, FL; several nieces and nephews and extended family in Columbia, South America. He was preceded in death by his parents, his son Anthony Roberto Mndez and his brother Jos Antonio Mndez as well as several other siblings. A service to celebrate his life will be held 11:00 AM Friday, December 13, 2013 at the Alamance Memorial Park Mausoleum. The family will receive friends following the service and at other times at Teressa's home, 1832 Swepsonville Rd., Graham. In lieu of flowers the family asks that memorials in his name be made to Alamance County Public Libraries, 342 S. Spring St., Burlington, NC 27215 The family would like to extend a special thanks to the staff & residents of Alamance Plaza & Linda Anderson for their kindness, friendship and assistance to Fernando.