Rodolfo "Rudy" Rodriguez

Rodolfo “Rudy” Rodriguez, 89, died at home on February 25, 2023 surrounded by his loving children. Rudy, also affectionately known as Fito to his friends from the barrio and immediate family, did not suffer long from Lewy Body Dementia.

Rudy was born on October 16, 1933, in Harlingen, Texas to the late Gabriel Rodriguez and Maria Palacios. He now joins his loving wife of 62 years, Olga Corkill, and his siblings, Luisa Atkinson, Elva Flores, Mike, Robert, and Ruben Rodriguez.

He is survived by his children: Analicia Rodriguez (Amanda), Gabriel (Graciela), and Patricia Espinoza (John); grandchildren, John Thomas, Zachary, Gabriel, Alec, Nikki (Ryan), and step-grandchild Alain; sister, Gloria Irma Martinez; and numerous nieces and nephews.

When he was a young man, Rudy worked in his father's grocery store where he would sing as he stacked the shelves. He loved his father deeply, and when his older brothers left for college, military service, and or marriage, he gave up his passion for playing varsity high school basketball in order to help tend to the family business.

He graduated from Harlingen High School in 1953 and in the spring of ‘56 he met his future bride, Olga Corkill. After a brief courtship, he and Olga married and shortly thereafter, he enlisted in the United States Army where he served from 1956-1958 with the 1st Cavalry Division in South Korea. He returned home to complete his military service obligation in the reserves attaining the rank of Sergeant before separation.

He and Olga began to build their lives in San Benito where they would raise their three children. Rudy provided for his family as a proud and loyal employee of the Hansen Distributing Company where he developed a master route to deliver corn chips to mom-and-pop stores all across the Valley. He continued to stay on after the company was sold to Frito-Lay, Inc. where he served as a supervisor and mentor to many. Upon retiring after thirty years, he was called back to help and stayed another four years. While working full-time, he also managed to obtain an associate’s degree from Texas Southmost College.

When not working, he enjoyed camping at the Frio River with his family, playing basketball with his grandsons, and watching his favorite sports teams on television: NY Yankees and Boston Celtics. He also liked to collect rare coins, barbeque at home, and travel to visit his grandchildren. Rudy would love to spend time at the VFW or Texas Roadhouse with his friends, and he could always be found cracking a joke, singing a song, or snapping his fingers to the beat of the music.

The family would like to thank the patrons and staff at the VFW Post 2410 for their care and support when Dad would stop by, his longtime friends who would call to light up his day, family who would check on his well-being after Mom passed away, Gentiva Hospice, and a very special thank you to his caregiver and partner-in-crime, Gisele Hernandez and her family who were there for him.

Family and friends will gather to remember Rudy on Thursday, March 2, 2023 from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Buck Ashcraft San Benito Funeral Home. A recitation of the Holy Rosary will begin at 7:00 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 2:00 p.m. Friday, March 3, 2023 at St. Benedict’s Catholic Church in San Benito. Interment with full military honors will follow at Mont Meta Memorial Park. Immediately following the interment, a small reception will be held at the VFW Post 2410 where family and friends will gather to honor Rodolfo Rodriguez.

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CLICK THE LINK BELOW "RECITATION OF THE HOLY ROSARY" TO VIEW THE SERVICE VIA LIVESTREAM