Luis Rodriguez, Sr.

It is with great sadness we announce the eternal peaceful rest of Luis Rodriguez, Sr., 100 years old, on July 15, 2018, surrounded by his family.

Mr. Rodriguez was born on November 17, 1917, to Felix and Dolores Rodriguez (†) in Laredo, Texas. He married the love of his life, Maria C. Rodriguez (†), on December 30, 1945 and shared his life with her for over 72 years.

Freckles, as he was affectionately known, was a friend to everyone and known to many. He was a three-war veteran having fought in World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. Mr. Rodriguez enlisted in the United States Army on October 16, 1941, and defended the Aleutian Islands from attack for three years. After more than 25 years of service to his country, he fully retired on October 6, 1974. With a sense of patriotic duty, Mr. Rodriguez served with honor, pride, and distinction, having earned the rank of SP5 and the following medals during his time in the Army: American Defense Service Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, Bronze Star, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, and Vietnam Campaign Medal. Prior to and during his time of service to his country, Mr. Rodriguez was an avid and talented baseball player.

After his retirement from the Army, he was employed by the Webb County Sheriff’s Office as a jailer until his retirement in 1983. He spent the rest of his life by his wife’s side enjoying his five-generation family. His grandiose voice will be sorely missed by his family as he took every opportunity to sing including at restaurants, his doctor’s offices, the annual City of Laredo Memorial Day ceremony, and when celebrating everyone’s birthdays. May God receive him into His kingdom and give him peace. Although he is gone, he will never be forgotten.

Mr. Rodriguez is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Maria C. Rodriguez; his son, Luis Rodriguez, Jr.; his infant daughter, Dolores Rodriguez; his parents, Felix and Dolores Rodriguez; his brother, Antonio Rodriguez; his sisters, Concepcion S. Arizola, Guadalupe R. Viera, and Socorro R. Calvo; his in-laws, Alfonso and Concepcion Castaneda; and his sister-in-law, Altagracia C. Quintanilla.

Mr. Rodriguez is survived by his children: Maria Luisa (Jose †) Sanchez, Margarita (Imeldo C. Palacios, Jr.) Palacios, and Felix A. (Terrine) Rodriguez. He is also survived by 15 grandchildren: Jaime Rodriguez, Rodolfo (Martha) Sanchez, Sandra Sanchez, Melinda M. Palacios, Monica Baltazar, Lisa (Scott) Noble, Melissa (Jeremy) Bennett, Jessica Palacios, Amy Palacios, Imeldo C. (Sheena) Palacios III, Luis A. Palacios, Marisa (Simon Cardenas, III) Cardenas, Jose F. (Kristina) Sanchez, Saffron (Daniel) Black, and Keith R. Rodriguez. He is also survived by 25 great-grandchildren; 11 great-great-grandchildren; his sister, Ana R. Soulas; his brothers-in-law, Alfonso (Lilia) Castañeda and Rodolfo (Aurora) Castañeda; sister-in-law, Lucia (Jesus †) Cruz; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

The family will be receiving condolences Thursday, July 19, 2018, from 5 to 9 p.m. at Joe Jackson North Funeral Chapel, 1410 Jacaman Road. A Vigil for the Deceased and Rosary will commence at 7 p.m.

Funeral services will be held Friday, July 20, 2018, departing at 8:30 a.m. from Joe Jackson North Funeral Chapel to Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church for a Mass of Catholic Burial at 9:00 a.m.

Rite of Committal and Internment will follow in the veteran’s section at the Laredo City Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be: Rodolfo Sanchez, Imeldo C. Palacios, III, Luis A. Palacios, Jose F. Sanchez, Keith R. Rodriguez, Mario Cruz, Christopher Castillo, and Bryan Cardenas.

Honorary Pallbearers will be: Felix A. Rodriguez, Alfonso Castañeda, Rodolfo Castañeda, Jaime Gallego, Imeldo C. Palacios, Jr., and Samuel Moreno, Sr.

The family wishes to thank and extend their most heartfelt gratitude to the following who were kind and generous to Mr. Rodriguez: Dr. Benson Y. Huang, Tammy Trevino, RN, ACNP, Dr. Mohsen Ghadimi-Mahani, Dr. Adolfo Garcia, Dr. Fernando Sanchez, Dr. Eduardo Fernandez, Dr. Enrique Garcia, Dr. Daniel Bell, and Laredo Medical Center staff for their care and patience. The family would like to especially thank Bronze Star and Villa Ambulance Service, as well as the City of Laredo LIFT program for providing transportation services when needed. A very special thank you to Rosario Rodriguez, Nurse Irene Huerta, and Juan M. Zavala and family. As he would say, “Until we meet again.”

You may express your condolences, share your favorite memories, and sign the guestbook online at: www.joejacksonfuneralchapels.com .

Arrangements have been entrusted to the care and direction of the funeral service professionals at Joe Jackson North Funeral Chapels & Cremation Services, 1410 Jacaman Road, Laredo, Texas 78041; (956)722-8850.