Humberto Rodriguez

Humberto Rodriguez, 90 was born October 16,1921 and died peacefully at home surrounded by his family on Wednesday, February 08, 2012. He was preceded in death by his sons Juan Humberto Rodriguez and Jose Colunga Rodriguez, and wife, Gloria Colunga Rodriguez. Beto is a 1st Generation Texan (born in Gouldbusk, Texas near Brady mas o menos.) His parents were of Mexican descent. Juan Rodriguez was from San Luis Potosi and Grabiella was from Villa Aldama, Tamaulipas. According to stories, his mother while working the fields, went into labor. The other women there assisted her in giving birth under the nearest shelter which was a wagon at Tom Crossland Farm about 7 miles from Gouldbusk, TX. Beto had 2 siblings Angelita and Conrado along with Grabiella's children, Marcos, Petra, Joe and Martin (Martin died at the age of 5 in an accident playing in the kitchen, he swallowed a handful of beans.) Beto was told when he was born that the “bosses wife” took on the duty of breastfeeding him because his mother Grabiella had fallen ill. When she finished breastfeeding, his mother would always say “thank you ma’am.” Grabiella passed away when Beto was 5 years old. After her passing, his father Juan married Maggie. Juan and Maggie had 8 more children together, Alicia, Ruben, Estella, Guadalupe, Olivia, Herlinda, George and Juan for a total of 15 children in the family. Along with his parents, Beto and his siblings worked out in the agricultural fields picking crops. Beto tells us stories of how they picked potatoes, onions, strawberries and all kinds of fruits and vegetables when they were young. He told us how Maggie would make corn tortillas by hand, he says “they were big and round.” They would eat them for lunch out in the fields with salt or butter.Beto played the guitar with his friends, one of many was Juan Salazar “La Bailarina.” He tells us he used to hang out with his buddies and after a long night of playing in the bars they would make their way over to the cemetery on Congress street in San Antonio where they would reminisce about the evening while serenading the captive audience there. If they weren't singing at the cemetery they would head over to “las carpas” now known as “San Antonio Market". Beto and Gloria attended Crocket elementary school. Beto would sit behind Gloria in class and he would pull her hair. As they grew older, Beto pursued Gloria for many years until he finally conquered her. Gloria would tell us stories of how he would walk down Leal street singing and whistling to gain her attention. Beto and Gloria married September 9, 1941 in San Antonio Texas. Beto and Gloria were married 65 years when Gloria was called to go home to be with our Lord in 2006. Beto became a broom maker, a trade he learned on his own at San Antonio Broom Factory. The company is now located at 5730 Rittiman Plaza and was established in 1919. He later retired from Empire Broom Factory in Houston, TX. Humberto’s family tree includes 8 Children (1 deceased), 7 remaining children have given him a total of 94 grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren, broken down as follows: 25 Grandchildren, 47 Great Grandchildren, 22 Great, Great Grandchildren.