Steve P. Rodriquez

I’m Steve Rodriquez, born on January 30, 1959, right here in Bryan, Texas. My father, Rosendo B. Rodriquez, was a strong and handsome man, and my mother, Eulalia P. Rodriquez, was as beautiful as they come. I spent my final moments surrounded by my loving wife, family, kids, and grandkids, taking my last breath on August 2nd 2024, in the place where it all began for me—Bryan.

Growing up in Bryan, I graduated from Bryan High School in 1977. I went on to Blinn College before transferring to Texas A&M, where I earned my Bachelor of Science degree. I then joined the police academy and graduated with the class of 1979. My career in law enforcement started at the Brazos County Sheriff’s Department in 1987, and soon after, I began working as a police officer at the College Station Police Department. For a while, from 1987 to 1990, I worked as a private investigator before shifting gears to become a car salesman. For the next 30 years, I dedicated myself to selling cars to families across town, and I made some of the best relationships of my life along the way. Many of you here probably bought a car from me at some point. I spent the majority of those years at Varsity Ford and later retired from Aggieland Chevrolet. Outside of work, I had a few passions that brought me great joy. Following in my father Rosendo’s footsteps, I joined the Knights of Columbus in 1981 and proudly served as Grand Knight in Council 1834. Sundays were reserved for Aggie and Dallas football—though I hope none of you are wearing Burnt Orange today! Weekends meant barbecuing with my family, and I cherished those moments when my father taught me the fine art of grilling. I also loved playing the accordion and saxophone in our band. Spending time with my siblings—Jeanette, Brenda, Josie, and Ross. We had many memorable nights at Tejano Ranch where we partied hard and got into all sorts of mischief. The Rodriquez family always had each other’s backs, no matter what.

In 1998, my sister Josie introduced me to the love of my life, Cinthia Rodriquez. My mother Eulalia once told me that if I wanted to marry Cindi, I had to love her and her kids as if they were my own. A year later, I knew I had to put a ring on that finger! And on September 11, 1999, in St. Teresa Church, I became a husband and a father, and I’ve cherished every day of it since. Over the past 25 years, I’ve passed on the traditions my parents taught me to my growing family.

I’m grateful to join those who passed before me: my mother Eulalia P. Rodriquez, my father Rosendo B. Rodriquez, and my grandchild Jake Abel Zavala.

To my family: My siblings and their partners, Jeanette and Steven Chavez, Brenda and Richard Alvarado, Josie and Enrique Mauricio Rodriquez, Ross and Carol Rodriquez. To my children and their partners; Veronica and Jonathan Rivera, Angelica and Alberto Vega, Patricia and Walter Alvarado, John and Candy Zavala, James and April Zavala. To my grandchildren; Jasmine and Irving Rodriquez Ordaz, Adrian Ratjhen, Jacob Salazar, Julian Zavala, John Anthony Zavala, Justice Zavala, Jake Zavala, Jace Rivera, Jade Zavala, Jupiter Zavala, Amelia Vega, Jathan Rivera, Jakova Zavala, Avalina Vega, and Aubrina Vega—thank you all for being a part of my journey.