Miguel "Mike" Rodriguez

One of two children, he was the son of Miguel C. Rodriguez and Aurora Yanez both deceased.

Born in Calexico, Ca in 1938, he attended schools in Mexicali, B.C., Mexico and Calexico, Ca. He joined the U.S. Navy in 1955 - 1959 serving 4 years on LST- USS Polk County. His travels overseas on the USS Polk County included the Philippines, Saipan, Korea, Japan, Hong Kong, China. After his Tour of Duty, he was in the Reserves for 4 years.

Upon his return as a civilian, he worked for Corral Motors in EL Centro, Ca, as a handyman and then briefly as a Taxi Cab driver in Calexico, Ca. His next job was with The U.S. Dept. of Labor, in the Transportation section of the "EL Centro Bracero Reception Center" in EL Centro, Ca. This center dealt with an agreement between the U.S. Government and the Government of Mexico. Mexican Laborers were screened for illness, finger printed and processed to work in the fields for the Farm Growers Associations whose crops and the fruits and vegetables needed to be harvested in California and Arizona. The selected Mexican field workers were given a contract for a short term and transported to their destined location. During this time, Mike met his future wife to be, Marie Celeste Guerrero, who worked as a Typist, bookkeeping machine operator and payroll keeping office there.

Mike then applied for a job at the U.S. Immigration Service - U. S. Border Patrol Detention Facility, EL Centro, Ca. and worked there as a Detention Officer. During this time, He married Marie, the young lady who captured his heart, on September 15, 1961, after a brief engagement.They had 3 children- 2 Daughters and a Son- Yvette, Yanina and Miguel.

From a Detention Officer position, Mike became a U.S. Immigration Service Officer working at the U.S. Port of Entry, Calexico, Ca. until March, 1976. He had applied and was accepted for the position of United States Immigration Inspector in Houston, Texas. He drove himself in his Gold and White Chevrolet pick-up truck from his home in EL Centro, Ca., leaving his wife and 3 children behind until he found a home to bring them to Houston. He arrived in Houston on April 1, 1976. He reported to the U.S. Immigration Service Office which was then located downtown. His job position at this time included working at the Airport- IAH which now is known as Bush Airport. He checked all passengers coming in on flights from all countries for proper documentation and entry into the U.S. Also, he worked the Ship Channel of Houston, checking those ships for entry securing that these ships from other countries had the proper documentation for the Captain and all their crewmen in order for their entry. Any document not in order, the individual remained on the ship- Detained- until its return to that country of origin.

During the mid-1970's when the country of Vietnam was in conflict with the U.S. and the people of South Vietnam were fleeing their country, all these Refugees that were able to come across into the U.S. from there, thousands of those were detained and held for inspection and processing into this country at Camp Pendleton, Ca., near San Diego, Ca. Mike was one of the U.S. Immigration Officers selected to process and determine that each individual was legitimately seeking refuge from the Viet Cong in North Vietnam's takeover of their country.

He also went to Cuba when Fidel Castro was releasing people from that country and to Bangkok/Cambodia's jungles to process those refugees coming to the U.S. seeking their Asylum from that oppression.

The last detail that came about was to Rome, Italy, Mike was there for 3 months processing the Russian Jews seeking Asylum here in the U.S. from their oppression.

All in all, Mike got to travel to all these countries and witness first hand all the pain and suffering of all those in this situation. He was always happy to return home to his wife and children form these assignments.

His last position was that of a U.S. Immigration Examiner. He interviewed thousands of individuals processing and providing their legal stay in the U.S. He also worked "Orphan Petitions." Orphan petitions involved interviewing couples living here in the U.S. who were trying and adopting children from foreign countries to live here permanently. Working diligently and efficiently, he opened and closed files on so many adoptees. He received many personal letters from the adoptive parents thanking him and sending pictures of their adopted children letting him know how happy and grateful and thankful for all he did. Many letters regarding this were also sent to his officer in charge.

Mike also worked in the Naturalization process for many, many, people who became "Naturalized Citizens" of this country. He conducted some of these swearing in ceremonies as well. His official retirement from Government Service as a U. S. Immigration Examiner ended on May 31, 1996. His retirement party was the largest ever and held at the Marriott Hotel in the Greenspoint area. So many people praised him- from his superiors; Attorneys; co-workers; they thanked him for his un-selfish, diligent, persistence in applying all rightful laws in his final decisions of all his cases and working and communicating with the State Department as well.

In his retirement, Mike loved to read, watched TV, mowed the grass and tinkered with all his tools in the garage. He also liked to cook. He prepared his wife Marie's lunches to take to work and prepared the evening meal for her return from work. He enjoyed his Budweiser beer and the solitude his home offered.

He is survived by his loving wife Marie Celeste. His children Yvette Rodriguez Masi, Yanina Neves, and son Miguel C. Rodriguez and wife Kimberly. His grandson Haniel Neves and granddaughters Madison and Marissa Rodriguez. He is also survived by his sister Rosemarie and brother-in-law Pedro Sandoval who reside in Calexico, California. His nephews Arturo Sanchez and wife Mara and family, Michael Sanchez and wife Ludi, Mark Anthony Sanchez and wife Julie and family. Cousins Gabriel and Ramon Aviles and Lupita Perdomo, Alicia Lozano and their respected families to include other numerous cousins who reside in California.

Thank you for always being there for "US." You are Forever in Our Hearts and Prayers. I Love You "My Chacho" and We Love You Pa !! "Papa Mike."

Our "Chances Are" became our reality for 53 years.

The Holy Spirit descended upon you on April 10, 2015 as God took you by the hand. But, because your "Chances Are" were always awfully good, I'll be there for you still...'Til then...You will always be "My Chacho."

XOXO

Your wife, Marie Celeste

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his honor to MD Anderson Cancer Center- P.O. Box 4464, Houston, Texas 77210; or on the website at www.mdanderson.org