Tributes

Rodolfo M. Rodriguez passed peacefully from this life on December 30, 2014 surrounded by his loving family. Our beloved and loving, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, companion and friend was blessed and gently called home to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Rodolfo was brought into this world on August 11, 1925 in Piedras Negras, Coahuila, Mexico by his parents, Jacobo Rodriguez and Petra Munoz. He was the fifth of six children. On February 27, 1949, at La Trinidad Church in Monterrey, Mexico, he was joined in Holy Matrimony to the love of his life, Gregoria G. Rodriguez. Rodolfo and Gregoria and their family moved to San Antonio in 1954 where they raised their six children. Rodolfo was a loving and devoted husband of 64 years. Rodolfo had dearly missed his beloved Gregoria since she left this earthly life on July 25, 2012. Rodolfo and Gregoria became active members of Cornerstone Church over 30 years ago. They were both instrumental in starting the Spanish-language ministry at the church. It was their duty to assure that those attending the Sunday Service had the proper equipment in order to hear and understand the service, as Rodolfo translated Pastor Hagee's spiritual message into Spanish. In life, Rodolfo's heart was fully devoted to his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, his loving wife and family, in that order. Rodolfo was also a Church Elder, a Lay Minister and taught Bible Study Classes at Cornerstone Church and conducted weekly Bible Study classes at his home until his wife Gregoria became ill. Prior to his ministry at Cornerstone Church, Rodolfo was an active member at La Trinidad Methodist Church here in San Antonio as a Sunday School Teacher for the Methodist Men. La Trinidad Methodist Church was the first Mexican-American Protestant Church in the United States. Rodolfo's grandfather, Reverend Cresencio Angel Rodriguez was the first pastor of La Trinidad. Although a native of Mexico, Rodolfo's family lineage is interwoven deeply in the history of the San Antonio area to include those involved in the Battle of the Alamo and as far back to the original settlers in the area from the Carnary Islands, Las Canarias. Rodolfo comes from a long line of missionaries, both in the Methodist and Roman Catholic Church. In his later years, Rodolfo continued his work with Cornerstone Church by creating a weekly spiritual lesson in Spanish that he distributed via email. His dedication to the creation of his weekly message, in spite of his ongoing medical issues, was truly an inspiration to all who knew him, as well as, a testament to the strength of his faith. Upon his arrival in San Antonio, Rodolfo worked briefly as an insurance agent for Southern Life Insurance Company. However, he ended his career after working for Prudential Life Insurance Company for over 30 years. The love and dedication he bestowed on his God and family will continue to live on in the hearts and minds of his children: Daughters; Maria Cristina Rodriguez Stephen Schramka and Rebecca Leo Guzman, Sons; Rodolfo G. Rodriguez, Ricardo Helen Rodriguez, Miguel Sharon, and Mario Rodriguez. Grandchildren; Jarod Nathan Rodriguez, Misael Melissa Rodriguez Guzman, Gabriel Rodriguez Guzman and Rebekah Cristina Guzman, Christopher, Jonathan, Angelica, Miguel Jr., Matthew Paisley Rodriguez, Wilson, Brandon, Sarah and Angela Rodriguez. Great-Grandchildren; Alyssa Celeste, Misael Christian, Caleb Gabriel, David Zion, Andrew and Briley. He is also survived by other relatives and friends. We ask that nothing of his life be lost. We ask that everything in which he selflessly gave to his family will continue to mean much to us now that he is gone. Everything that he held sacred may be of benefit to all of us who follow him. We understand now, that because of his passing, it is we the living that are more closely drawn together. In this togetherness, peace and friendship we become ever more aware of the promise that Jesus made to all of us, that promise to remain faithful to us, even in death. The family of Rodolfo is extremely grateful to the following individuals for their dedication and loving care that they have given Rodolfo and his family over the years; Dr. Robert Schnitzler, Victoria Paparelli, RN, CCNS and the ladies that assisted him in his later years; Lupita Martin, Lorena Esquivel and Odilia Garcia. A Celebration of the Life of Rodolfo M. Rodriguez will be held on Wednesday January 7, 2015 at 10am at Cornerstone Church Chapel 18755 Stone Parkway, San Antonio, Texas, 78258 with interment to follow at Mission Burial Park North. The family will receive relatives and friends at the Mission Park Funeral Chapel North 3401 Cherry Ridge Drive San Antonio, TX 78230 on Tuesday, January 6, 2015 from 5pm until 8pm and at the Church Chapel on Wednesday morning from 9am until the time of service. The family requests that relatives and friends consider donations to Cornerstone Church Mexican Missionary Program. You may sign the on-line guest book at www.missionparks.com.

Tributes

Rodolfo M. Rodriguez

August 11, 1925 - December 30, 2014