Tributes

Daniel G. Rodriguez, Jr., was a community leader, union organizer, and a man of integrity. He served his community in countless ways, great and small, through the strength of his character and a commitment to equality in all forms. Dan listened more than he spoke. He was unpretentious. And he had the rare ability to connect with others through empathy and straight talk. He died in his home, surrounded by his family, and listening to the music he loved, on January 9, 2025, after a valiant and hard-fought battle with cancer. Danny was born on November 8, 1951, in Laredo, Texas. He was the oldest son of 11 children born to Sofia (Garza) and Daniel Rodriguez, Sr. Sofia’s philosophy about equality and justice shaped her son: “El que sabe amar es el que sabe más.” As a kid, Danny lived with his family at the Casiano Homes on the Westside of San Antonio, and later, in his teens in the Veramendi Courts. Danny was admired by his 5 brothers and adored by his 5 sisters: Rita, Laura, Rene, Annette, Hilda, Linda, Isaac, Agustin, Hector, and Rudy. When Danny was an 8th grader at Edgewood Junior High, he saw a petite, pretty girl at a football game. He was mesmerized. It was Diana Cardenas, and she was a high school freshman. Undeterred, Danny courted Diana persistently for the next 5 years until she agreed to marry him. They married in 1970, 5 months after Danny’s graduation from Kennedy High School. Danny’s call was community service. As a teen, he worked for the City of San Antonio as a Community Service Officer in the housing projects. Later, Danny played a role in the City’s early efforts to empower at-risk, inner-city youth. From 1971 to 1983, Danny worked for the City’s Community Relations Drug Inhalant Prevention Program and various other social work efforts in the Alazan-Apache, Casiano, Viramendi, San Juan, and Mirasol – areas of San Antonio previously known as La Tripa, La Blanca, El Charco and El Ghost Town. He was also involved with the Brown Berets, Mexican American Youth Organization, and Raza Unida. Danny was not only a positive influence on Westside teens, he also offered practical help. Dan helped young men get their G.E.D.’s and learn trades. Decades after Danny left the barrio, complete strangers stopped Danny in the street and on the bus to thank him for his counsel and easy-going redirection. Naturally, when Dan became a bus driver for VIA Metropolitan Transit in 1983, he was drawn to leadership in the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 694 (“ATU”). Dan launched the Health and Welfare Fund, which still today offers free financial aid to union members in the event of an emergency. No questions asked. For over 33 years, Dan drove a bus for VIA and he served the ATU and its 1,000 members: drivers, mechanics, station attendants and transit support personnel. Dan was elected to one term as Vice-President and 4 terms as President, for a total of 15 years on the Executive Board. Dan was a strategic negotiator. In 2015, he successfully negotiated a paid holiday for VIA employees in honor of Cesar Chavez, the legendary civil rights leader. It would be another 7 years before the City of San Antonio would do the same for its workers. Although Dan retired in 2016, he is still remembered at VIA for his fierce advocacy but also his creativity in collaborations. His word was solid, and his handshake was sufficient to seal agreements. Among VIA executives, Dan was deeply respected and “he earned every bit of that respect.” Dan received numerous honors, including the Si Se Puede Spirit Award for Lifetime Achievement from the Cesar E. Chavez Legacy and Educational Foundation and induction into the Latino American Who’s Who. Dan was active in the AFL-CIO and local Democratic politics. He voted in every election. In 2024, despite a daunting medical diagnosis and extreme physical pain, Dan swore he would vote early and in-person in the Presidential election. And he did. Together for 54 years, Danny and Diana shared un amor eterno. They have 4 children: Sonia, Daniel III, Kristy, and Javier, who each in their own ways strive to emulate their dad. Danny and Diana faithfully nurtured their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren: Sonia, Jon, Violet, and Sofia; Daniel III, Alejandra, Jason, Taii, Danielle, Jamison, Jessica, and Diego; Kristy; Javi, April, Alora, and Tristan. And they were showered with the hugs, kisses, and giggles of 5 great-grandchildren: Ava, Maia, Camilla, Ameila, and Aidan. Over the last 8 years, Dan was also eventually won over by the persistent loyalty of his canine companion, Chico. Danny is loved and admired by his family, including his Tío Tomas Garza, dozens of cuñados, nietos, primos, and a multitude of camaradas. Danny will be remembered for his generosity, colorful maldiciones, chiding humor, and an unshakable commitment to human dignity and workers’ rights. C/S

Tributes

Daniel G. Rodriguez Jr.

November 8, 1951 - January 9, 2025