Tributes

Heaven has gained another angel, Christopher Nicholas Rodriguez, “Tattoo Chris.” He earned his wings and went to be with the Lord on Saturday, March 23, 2024, at the age of 44. He was born in Austin, Texas, at Seton Hospital on June 15, 1979, and later graduated from Sunset High School in Dallas, Texas. He is preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Travis Mendiola and Angela McLane Casanova, and his paternal grandparents, Rodolfo Rodriguez (Nettie Rodriguez), and Minerva Minnie Rodriguez. He is survived by his ONLY CHILD, his brothers David Roy Rodriguez Jr. and Sean Richard Blythe, and his sisters Heather Aurora Blythe, Katie Rodriguez, and Olivia Jasel Tanguma. He leaves behind his mother, Karen Jane Mendiola, his father, David Roy Rodriguez Sr., his stepfather, Roberto Tanguma, and his stepmother, Patti Brookshire Rodriguez. Christopher is also survived by his aunts Patricia Kobayashi, Minnie Cieslak (Don Cieslak), Debra Mendiola, Yvonne Mendiola, and uncles Travis Mendiola Jr. and Anthony Mendiola. He is also survived by his many cousins, very close friends Melanie Bosquez and Vicky Fields, and his friend circle in Austin, Texas. Christopher Nicholas was gifted and loved drawing at an early age. He was so talented, so it was natural for him to seek to be the best tattoo artist he could be. He took great pride in that, and we were all so proud of him for that! He said Austin had the best tattoo artist, so that is where he wanted to be! He was an extremely hard worker in all his endeavors. While Christopher always had his home in the City of Sandy Oaks with his mother, Karen Jane Mendiola, he always considered Austin his home away from home. Our beloved Christopher was named after Jesus Christ and Saint Nicholas (Santa Claus) and took his name very seriously. He was a follower of Jesus Christ and knew the Bible well. Chris would keep his friend’s company as they suffered through trials and tribulations and was seen as an underdog by his friends. He taught people to look past the appearance of others and see them for who they really were. Christopher was a good and loving son who was proud of being a grandson, son, brother, and friend, and we were very proud of him because his shining light illuminated the planet with God’s goodness. He was a handsome, smart, funny guy with an empathetic heart. He had a charismatic personality, beautiful twinkling eyes, and a contagious smile and laugh, which would melt even the hardest hearts. “I Love You” was his parting words, which will be etched into our memories and hearts forever. Christopher will be eternally loved and profoundly missed. Christopher was a direct Canary Islands Descendant of the Founding Fathers of San Antonio. He was also a great x 4 grandson of “Death” Erastus Smith (Alamo Defender) and San Antonio Civil War Mayor Pasquel Buquor. He will be laid to rest at the Mendiola Cemetery located on the Mendiola’s ancestral land (Spanish Land Grant of 1637).

Tributes

Christopher Nicholas Rodriguez

June 15, 1979 - March 23, 2024