Rodolfo F. Fernandez Jr.

Rodolfo was predeceased by his wife Gloria Mora Fernandez. He had three children, (Son) Rudy Fernandez III and his wife Marilyn Fernandez, (Daughters) Rosalinda Fernandez and Rachel Fernandez. (Three grandchildren) Frank, Lisa, and Gilbert (Three great grandchildren) Felicia, Vanessa and Raven. He also leaves behind one (sister) Rebecca Pena and one (brother) Robert Fernandez.

Rodolfo was born in San Antonio, Texas on November 29, 1941. He is predeceased by his parents Rodolfo Sr. and Angelina.

He attended Fox Tech High School and joined the ROTC where he achieved high rankings and was Captain of the Rifle Team and Drill Team. While attending high school he would lead the drill team in the Fiesta Parades. The entire Fernandez and Fierros family would be in attendance cheering him on. This gave him great pride to hear his family in the stands. While in high school he worked with his father at his Produce Co. on the weekends with a 3:00 am wakeup call and worked alongside him proudly. In 1959 he graduated high school and enlisted in the United States Army. He held the title Seargeant First Class and was classified as an expert sharpshooter marksman. He had a passion for the military and serving his country and wanted to serve in the Vietnam War. This fondness came from his love in the ROTC in high school where he enjoyed history and old war movies. Unfortunately, his parents did not approve of him serving in the Vietnam War. This led him to enlist in the Texas National Guard while working in the family produce business in the old San Antonio Market Square.

In 1964 he meets the love of his life Gloria Medrano at Westside State Bank and begin their family life. Together they opened Valley Fruit Center in 1965 on the south side of San Antonio. This was a Mexican curio shop that included items such as imported pottery from Mexico and pinatas. Later at this time he had the idea to sell Christmas trees and did so at the adjacent property to the Valley Fruit Center. There were many cold winters in which the whole family pitched in to help unload and tie these trees to be sold. We shared many hot cups of Mexican chocolate under a small three wall outdoor wooden shack where family bonds were built that still hold strong today. Rudy met many loyal customers with these two businesses and worked many long hard hours and was successful in supporting his family in this manner. During many outings to the neighborhood stores someone always recognized our dad. Many customers returned simply to talk as he was an amazing storyteller and would share many stories from family to business.

In 1972 another idea came to mind, and this was to change the name of the existing business and convert it into a Mexican Restaurant called “La Pinata”. This idea came from him eating his wife’s “homemade enchiladas.” Together again with the help of the entire family including his younger brother, sister and nieces and nephews ran a successful Restaurant with mom as the head chef. I can still remember the phone answered, “La Pinata Restaurant how may I help you”. This was the restaurant on the south side of town where you came for the Mexican food and stayed for the intriguing conversations. As a family these were the happiest years shared with our extended family celebrating birthdays and other special events at the restaurant.

In 1971 his wife Gloria is diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis, and it is with great sadness he closes this business. Simultaneously, his father and Uncle owned a produce business together and decide to part ways. This decision led to his father going into business with his sons Rudy Jr. and Robert. While caring for his wife and three children there were mornings, we as children were late for school as our mom could not get out of bed due to her illness. This is where our “hero” took time off from work to drive us to school. While in route many times he would stop at the local donut shop and buy us donuts and chocolate milk as he knew we were already late for school.

In 1976 the venture of Rudy Fernandez Produce business begins. It is with great pride and admiration that this business has survived for 48 years and counting. As a family we all took part in helping our dad in answering phones and taking produce orders.

In 2007 Rudy takes an early retirement to take care of his wife Gloria but stays on in an advisory capacity. During these next few years, he spent all of his time devoted to his wife and together during her good days traveled to visit their daughters in the Austin and Houston area and on occasion would drive to Corpus Christi to eat lunch.

Rudy was a devout Catholic and held the role of Extraordinary Minister at his parish Santo Nino Catholic Church and participated in the Men’s ACTS retreat where he met several of his brothers.

During these next few years, he undergoes a quadruple bypass. And in 2014 Rudy is diagnosed with Dementia and with the great supervision of his doctors over the years battles this disease. Through all that he endured in his recovery he always had a strong, forceful will and mindset.

It is with great honor, dignity, and joy that we his children want everyone to remember about our dad and this was his motto “sige pa de lante” which means keep moving forward and persevere and never give up no matter what the circumstance. In his later years of us caring for him with many home cooked we can still hear him say “it don’t get no better than this”. We cannot forget to mention the pride he took in keeping all his vehicles in impeccable condition. This trait was passed on to his son. On a good day with a special “please” would treat his daughters to a clean car.

While we lost our most beloved dad, many have lost a close confidant. He has been a rock to many, if you were lucky to have met him you were marked as important to him, and he'd be by your side if you needed him. There was so much more to him than just dad, though to us that was his greatest roll - he was also a friend, a coworker, colleague, an uncle, brother, stand-in paternal figure to the fatherless, a handyman, expert gardener, and the list goes on and on.

We will miss you and always pray for you and love you always…

A celebration of Life & Memorial Service will be held on Monday Feb. 5, 2024.Viewing at 5:00 pm and Rosary from 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm at Trevino Funeral home 226 Cupples Rd. 78237. Funeral service Tuesday Feb. 6, 2024, arrival 8:30 am and depart at 10:00 am for special drive thru at San Antonio Produce Market. Mass will follow at 11:00 am at Senor Santo Nino de Cebu Catholic Church 5655 Rigsby Ave. 78222. Committal Service with Full Honors Tribute at 1:00 pm at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery 1520 Harry Wurzbach Rd. 78209. A Reception lunch at 2:30 pm at Mi Tierra Cafe y Panaderia, 218 Produce Row, San Antonio, TX 78207