Tony P. Rodriguez

Houston Texas entered into eternal rest on Wednesday,

November 11, 2020. His departure leaves a

tremendous loss to all who loved him.

He was born to Refugio R. Rodriquez and Aurora

Perez on February 2, 1940. His education started at De

Zavala Elementary School then on to Edison Jr. High,

where he participated on the Varsity Basketball Team

B. Playing football with neighborhood friends was a

great memory of his. Tony graduated from Milby High

School in 1958. He proudly served his country with The

United States Marine Corp. - Vietnam Era, July 1958 to

March 1964, earning rank of Corporal E-4.

After serving his country, he worked at Pepsi Company

and La Rose Cleaners. He then began his career with

the United States Post Office. During that time he

attended college and earned his Associates Degree in

Business from Houston Community College. He retired

from the Post Office after 35 years of service. Tony

began substituting at Orange Grove Elementary

School. The staff adored him and asked if he wanted to

join full-time. He gladly accepted and excelled as a

teacher and coach.

He loved children and was so delighted after his

retirement when students would come up to him years

later and introduce themselves as prior students.

In 2005, Tony joined the Harrisburg Post 472

American Legion where he assisted with the Building

Corp. and held the position of Treasurer for seven

years. He also was a member of the Fort Bend County

Vaquero Trail Riders.

His love of military led to various organizations:

•The Harrisburg American Legion Post 472

•Harrisburg American Legion Post 472 Honor Guard

•The Original Barrio Boys

•Barrios Unidos

• “Big H Tailgaters”

•Milby Hispanic Alumni Association. He served as a Co-

Founder of MHAA from 1989-current.

Tony generously gave his time with participation in the

Annual Golf Fundraiser Harrisburg American Legion

Post 472, Mario Gallegos Sr. Scholarship and the Milby

Hispanic Alumni Association.

Immaculate Heart of Mary was Tony’s parish and he

was an avid Saturday/Sunday attendee who also

ushered as needed. Tony had a love for football. He

was a devoted season ticket holder from the Houston

Oilers to current Houston Texans.

On February 9, 2020, Tony proudly accepted several

recognition awards:

On behalf of the Honorable Sylvia R. Garcia Member

of Congress, he was presented both with a certificate

and flag of the United States of America and a

Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition.

He also received the Marine Standard from Dario

Arrellano of The Original Barrio Boys. In addition, a

certificate from the City of Houston Recognition was

bestowed by Robert Gallegos Houston Council

Member District I.

He was also congratulated on his 80th birthday

celebration on behalf of the State of Texas House of

Representatives by the Honorable Christina Morales.

Tony was a native Houstonian, lifelong resident of

Magnolia Park, and proud Marine Corp Veteran. He

loved traveling. Visiting South Padre with his children

was one of his favorites. He was an amazing man,

husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother

and friend. He lived life with dignity and grace. His

humor and stories were illuminating. So many loved

him as he loved so many.

Tony’s proudest accomplishment (besides all his

children) was “Once a Marine Always a Marine”

SEMPER-FI! Tony was a proud Marine Veteran and

was called to eternal rest by Our Lord, fittingly on

Veteran’s Day.

A visitation will be held Monday, November 23, 2020

from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM, with a Rosary at 7pm, at

Forest Park Lawndale Funeral Home, 6900 Lawndale

Street, Houston, TX 77023.

A funeral service will occur Tuesday, November 24,

2020 at 2:00 PM followed by a graveside service at

Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery.