Fernando Bermudez

Fernando “Mr. B” Bermudez passed away Wednesday, February 19, 2025 after a short but intense battle with cancer. He was 87. 

Married to Cecilia Bermudez for 65 years, dad was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He was born on September 26, 1937, and raised in El Paso, Texas. He was a graduate of Bowie High School, where he met our mom. 

When he was born, his sister nicknamed him “Chito,” a name that his extended family would use for the rest of his life. He was preceded in death by his sister, and four brothers, all of whom served as parental figures during his childhood. They taught him the value of discipline and respect and hard work. 

Dad started working for the Army Air Force Exchange Service at a young age and worked his way up to management, ultimately overseeing the auto service facilities at Fort Bliss Army Post, and Barksdale and Wright-Patterson Air Force Bases. He worked at Fort Bliss until 1976 when he was transferred to Barksdale. He would work at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base from 1983 to 1985 before retiring and returning to Bossier City.

Wherever dad lived, he was known for having the neighborhood’s best landscape, often re-mowing and re-trimming the grass after the neighborhood Homeowner’s Association lawn services. While working to perfect his lawn, he often was approached by passers-by asking how much he charged, not knowing he was the homeowner. “You can’t afford me,” was always his response. 

After his retirement, dad would later help our mom in her at-home daycare business, tending to dozens of infants and toddlers over the next 20+ years. Those children quickly became attached to mom and dad, and when becoming parents themselves, sought to have them care for a second generation of children.

As a husband and father, dad sought to give us things he never had as a child, emphasizing family first. His rare vacations from work consisted of him packing all of us into the station wagon for weeklong trips to California or back to El Paso to visit relatives. He rarely missed the opportunity to see his children and grandchildren compete in various high school and college sporting events. 

Dad will be immensely missed by those who survived him, including mom, Cecilia of Bossier City; eldest son, Fernando, “Fernie” Jr. and partner, Donnie Pharr, both of El Dorado, Ark.; daughter, Celia “Sally” Taylor and son-in-law, Russell Taylor, both of Benton, La.; daughter, Rebecca “Becky” Bermudez of Bossier City, and son, Frederick and daughter-in-law, Andrea Bermudez of Albuquerque, N.M. He also is survived by four grandchildren, Joseph Brandin Burton of Benton, La., James Cameron Taylor of Chicago; and Brianna Belen and Cole Stephen Bermudez, both of Albuquerque. He also will be missed by his only great-grandchild, Braylee Anne Burton of Benton. Dad also is survived by numerous nieces and nephews in El Paso and Southern California. 

We express our deepest gratitude to Dr. Kevin Gallagher, and all the staff and nurses at the Willis Knighton Cancer Center 3 North for their dedication, care, and comforting humor that brightened dad’s last days.

He truly was loved by all who knew him. 

Visitation and memorial service will be from 10:00 a.m. until noon on Saturday, March 15, 2025, at Kilpatrick’s Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 2201 Airline Drive, in Bossier City, Louisiana.