Rosalio Rodriguez Jr

Rosalio was born at home in La Paloma, Texas to Maria Portilla Rodriguez and Rosalio Esparza Rodriguez on June 15, 1928 the fourth of five children. He was a son, brother, U.S. Veteran, Husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, uncle, great grand uncle, great-great grand uncle. He was involved in community and educational organizations, in roles of leadership, he was a role model to his children, nephews, and other family members, as well as a mentor to his students. He encouraged his children to attend college which they all did, following different career paths.

Rosalio Rodriguez Jr. is preceded in death by his loving wife of 50 years Maria Elena Garza Rodriguez, his son George Rodriguez, his grandsons; Jorge Michael Bailey, Joseph Lee Bailey Jr., Sean A. May, his sisters; Abelia Rodriguez, Lydia Cardoza, his brother; Guadalupe Rodriguez, Jose Guadalupe Rodriguez Sr., and his nephew Vicente Rodriguez. He is survived by his daughters; Ida Mae Rodriguez-Bailey (Joseph Sr.), Margret Elizabeth Endres, Ann Marie Rodriguez-May (David), His sons Rosalio Rodriguez III, Christopher Nelson Rodriguez, his nephew Jose Guadalupe Rodriguez Jr. (Angela), six grandchildren, six great-great grandchildren, two nephews, two great grandnieces, four great grandnephews, one great-great grandniece, two great-great grandnephews, and several 2nd and 3rd cousins by marriage.

Rosalio graduated from San Benito High School in San Benito, Texas and joined by the U.S. Air Force soon after. While in the USAF he was based in England during the Berlin Airlift and was a navigator on the Douglas C-54 Skymaster aircraft.

In 1952 he married his love Maria Elena Garza in Brownsville, Texas and they started their life together in La Paloma, Texas.

He was the only member of his senior class to get a college degree. He used his GI benefits to attend Texas Southmost College in Edinburg, Texas and Texas A&M university in Kingsville, Texas. He got an Associates Degree and Bachelors of Education and a Masters of Education.

His career as an educator spanned 30 years. His first job was as a teacher for the San Benito CISD, at Los Indios, Texas, then Brownville ISD, he was the first hispanic hired by the Flour Bluff ISD in 1970. He was the Director of Bilingual Ed. at West Oso ISD in Corpus Christi, Texas. He was retired from teaching at Dallas ISD. He continued working in retail and education until the 2000's.

A Memorial Service will be held at Funeraria Del Angel Mont Meta 26170 State Highway 345, San Benito, Texas 78586 at 12:00 PM on Friday, February 17, 2023 followed by burial at 1:00 PM at Mont Meta Memorial Park.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy can be left for the Rodriguez family at montmetafuneralservices.com.