Marshall Fernandez was born in the famous mining town of Dawson New Mexico in 1931. He grew up in Stockton, California and attended Lafayette, Jackson, Stockton High School and Stockton College. He was a member of the Naval Reserves during the Korea War. He worked as an airplane mechanic for Tiger Air Lines in L.A. Moving to Camas, Washington in 1961 he worked at Crown Zellerbach and was an active member of the Associated Pulp and Paper Workers Union, Local 1225 as a negotiator, interpreter and editor of the union newspaper He went to Chile to assist building a paper mill. In the early 1980's he returned to California and worked fox the National Farm Workers Service Center as an electrician and carpenter, building the first radio station for Radio Campesina collaborating with Cesar and Richard Chavez. In the late 1990's he moved to Castroville and continued his volunteer activities focusing on public schools, literacy, and land use issues. A life long activist Democrat, he worked as a campaign manager for candidates at the state and local level in Washington State, was president of the Tehachapi Democrats in California and continued to work for Democratic initiatives and candidates wherever he lived. He was active with the JayCees and the Knights of Pythias. He loved the arts, music, photography, crossword puzzles and traveling. He was extremely devoted to his family, especially his children and grandchildren. In his retirement, he raised his daughters Erica and Maria Elizabeth. Loving husband of Mary Mecartney,loving father of Terrence Fernandez, Nicolette Smith Vivian Peterson, Marshelle Fernandez, Adrienne Fernandez, Shannon Fernandez, Mafia Elizabeth Fernandez and Erica Fernandez. Loving brother of John Xavier Fernandez, Dolores Huerta, Alicia Arong, and Elena Holmgren. Service will be held at 11 a.m. today at the Cathedral of the Annunciation, 400 W. Rose St., Stockton, CA. In lieu of flowers, please send donations in his memory Tehachapi Mountain Democratic Club, PO Box 428935-81 Tehachapi, CA 93581, or to a charity of your choice.NOTE: Final Resting place is unknown and only for FindAGrave.