Rogelio “RO” Fernandez, Jr.

Rogelio “Ro” Fernandez Jr., 53, passed away on December 19th, 2023, at home in Bakersfield, California. He was born on March 1st, 1970, in Zamora, Michoacán to Rogelio and Julia Fernandez. Ro grew up in Shafter, California. He graduated from Shafter High School in Shafter, California in 1988. After high school, he attended California State University, Northridge to study mechanical engineering. He ultimately decided to enter the restaurant industry instead of continuing at CSU Northridge because he realized that cooking was his real passion. His chef career spans many different restaurants and multiple decades. He worked for Yard House as an Executive Chef where he worked for 4 years. His main hobby and interest were cooking. He knew cooking best, and he would work on perfecting his craft any time he could. He loved watching cooking shows, but he favored the ones that showcased the delicacies of different cultures. He could cook anything he set his mind to because of his ability. He loved spending time with family and friends. He also loved seeing live music. Ro is survived by his daughter Alexandria Fernandez and his son Diego Fernandez; his brother, Miguel (Sandra) Fernandez; his sisters, Patricia (Jesus) Ramirez, Rosalia (Jose) Trujillo, and Julia (Lionel) Frias; and his nieces and nephews and other relatives. Ro was preceded in death by his brother, Gerardo Fernandez; his maternal grandparents, Rosa & Francisco Rios; and his paternal grandparents, Consuelo & Eliseo Fernandez. A funeral service will be held at St. Therese Catholic Church (300 W Lerdo Hwy Shafter, CA 93263) at 1:00 pm on Saturday, January 13, 2024. A visitation will be held at Basham & Lara Funeral Care (343 State Avenue Shafter, CA 93263) at 5:00 pm on Friday, January 12, 2024. The family will be greeting friends and relatives at the reception on Saturday, January 13, 2024, which follows the burial. Burial will follow the funeral at Shafter Cemetery. Reception to follow at El Alacran Hall at 6447 Superior Road, Bakersfield, CA 93314