David Joseph Rodriguez

David was born February 4, 1948 in Fresno, California and grew up in the Clovis and Fresno area.

He attended Clovis High School, McLane High School and graduated from Theodore Roosevelt High School in 1966.

Soon after, David was drafted in the Army in 1968 and went to Vietnam in 1968 – 1969 and served in the Army, 9th Infantry Division, as a River Rat in the Mekong Delta.

Upon returning back from the war, David attended Fresno City College for a year and a half and then he was drafted into the War on Poverty with the Fresno County Community Action Agency. David worked briefly after that with Eastern Service Center. From there, he worked for La Universidad De Aztlan, Benito Juarez Institute.

After returning from Vietnam, David committed himself to working for the betterment of the Chicano Community. He was involved in the Chicano movement and with Cesar Chavez and the United Farm Workers organization in improving the lives of the farm workers.

In 1980 David started working for the State Department of Fair Employment and Housing investigating discrimination in employment. He retired after 30 year of service due to suffering a heart attack on the job.

David was predeceased by his brother Henry (Hank) Rodriguez, his parents Rose and Henry, his sister Della Banuelos, and his wife Rosa.

He is survived by his beloved son Joseph E. Rodriguez, his siblings Shirley Gaytan, George Rodriguez and Arthur Rodriguez, six stepchildren and their children and numerous nephews and nieces.

A visitation for David will be held on Friday, April 26, 2024 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Whitehurst Sullivan Burns & Blair Funeral Home, 836 E. Nees Ave., Fresno, CA 93720.

A Memorial Chapel Service will take place on Friday, April 26, 2024 at 12:00 PM at t Whitehurst Sullivan Burns & Blair Funeral Home, 836 E. Nees Ave., Fresno, CA 93720, followed by a Committal Service at Clovis Cemetery District, 305 N Villa Ave, Clovis, CA 93612.

In Lieu Of Flowers donations may be made to the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8900 - 3585 N Blythe Ave, Fresno, CA 93722

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.whitehurstsullivan.com for the Rodriguez family.