Alonzo Rodriguez, Sr.

Our beloved father and patriarch, Alonzo Rodriguez, Sr., passed away peacefully on Thursday, October 8, 2020, at the age of 85.  He was born in San Benito, Texas on February 3, 1935 to the late Guadalupe and Demencia Rodriguez.  He married the love of his life, Socorro Rios Rodriguez, on May 25, 1969 and raised three children and three grandchildren.

Alonzo proudly served his country in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War attaining the rank of Specialist Fourth Class (Spc-4).  He went on to complete his university studies and received a Bachelor’s of Business Administration degree from St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, Texas.  Alonzo was a Certified Tax Assessor and worked many years as Tax Assessor for the San Benito Consolidated Independent School District.

Alonzo’s bedrock beliefs were faith, family, and education. He was a devout Catholic and a lifetime member of St. Theresa Catholic Church where he served as a Communion Minister.  He read his Bible daily, frequently prayed the Holy Rosary, and was a firm believer that God should be at the center of the family.  He also strongly believed in the importance of a good education.

Alonzo never met a stranger. He was well known in San Benito and loved to interact with people.  He was known as an honorable, happy, and generous man. He was very disciplined and could be stern, even strict at times; nevertheless, Alonzo was highly regarded by all who knew him and was quick to lend a helping hand.  He was a role model for many of those who knew him. Alonzo loved his community and was an active member of the Knights of Columbus and the American Legion.

He enjoyed working with his hands. Alonzo was a mechanic and painter and could often be found in his garage, sitting on his favorite metal chair, putting things together.

His family and close friends were blessed to know Alonzo’s silly, fun-loving side.  He enjoyed baseball, basketball, carpentry and working on his ranch.  He enjoyed music and loved to dance; however, his greatest joy was spending time with his family.  He especially loved attending all of his grandchildren’s activities.

Left to treasure his memory and legacy are his wife, Socorro R. Rodriguez; daughters, Yvonne Rodriguez and Rita Rodriguez; grandchildren, Joshua Daniel Lopez, Jason Patric Lopez, Kayla Catherine Lopez; sisters, Ester Estrada and Oralia Lozoya; brothers, Margarito (Sara) Rodriguez, Carlos “Charlie” (Maria) Rodriguez, and Oscar Rodriguez; and, numerous nieces and nephews.

Alonzo’s parents, Guadalupe and Demencia A. Rodriguez, and his son, Alonzo Rodriguez, Jr., preceded him in death.

The Rodriguez family will receive friends and relatives on Tuesday, October 13, 2020 from 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at San Benito Funeral Home.  A recitation of the Holy Rosary will begin at 7 o’clock on Tuesday evening. (Click the link below to view the recitation of the Holy Rosary via live-stream.) A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Theresa Catholic Church on Wednesday, October 14, 2020 at 10:00 a.m., Fr. Joe Villalón, Jr., celebrant.  Following the Mass, Alonzo will be laid to rest at Mont Meta Memorial Park with full military honors.

Honored to serve as pallbearers are Alonzo’s grandsons, Joshua Daniel Lopez and Jason Patric Lopez.  Also honored to serve as pallbearers are Jorge Garza, Federico Garza, Wazen Cowans, and Timothy Lozoya.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to San Benito Funeral Home, 1400 W. Business 77, San Benito, Texas 78586.  956.291.4178 www.sanbenitofuneralhome.com

All guests must wear a facial covering and practice social distancing while visiting the funeral home.