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Rodolfo (Rudy) Garcia Valero, 91 of San Antonio, TX passed away on December 26, 2025 in San Antonio, TX. Rudy was born in San Antonio, TX to Jose G. & Celia Valero on March 9, 1934. He attended Sydney Lanier High School and graduated in 1952. He played on the 1951 basketball team that made it to state tournament. His senior year he was one of Lanier’s top scorers for the 1952 basketball team that competed for a city championship. In 1953, he competed in the then prestigious Golden Gloves training out of San Fernando Gym. Rudy knocked out one of his first opponents, but eventually lost by decision to a “crowd favorite” for the title in his weight class. In 1954, he entered into the seminary and completed 2 years of college education. During his time in the seminary, he performed missionary work supporting migrant families working the farms of Ohio. Unable to grasp Latin, he decided he wanted to serve his country after learning of the Korean War, but was denied due to his Microtia in which he had only one developed ear. Never daunted by his so-called disability, he insisted on serving his country. Due to his persistence, the Army called him back in 1957 for special administrative duty. After boot camp he was sent to Dahn, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany attached to 10th Ordinance Battalion which played a role in supporting NATO operations and U.S. military commitments. He worked motor pool to chow hall to security. He was proud to serve and relished his time traveling across Europe from Germany to Amsterdam to Seville, Spain. After 2 years of active duty, he would eventually do 4 years of reserve duty mostly out of Fort Bliss in El Paso, TX. In 1959, returned to San Antonio, where he met the love of his life, Hope Cadena. One of his first jobs was for a Howard Hughes company near Kelly AFB where he drew blueprints. As much as he loved drawing, he found the job monotonous. By November 1959, he gained employment with US Postal Service. He started off as a truck driver and even became an armed driver trained in handgun proficiency due to postal service transporting highly classified government documents and large amounts of money at the time. May 1st, 1960, he married his true love to start a family. In 1972, Rudy earned a bookkeeping & basic accounting certification and worked as a clerk in a supervisory role until he retired after 31 years. Throughout this time, Rudy enjoyed playing in city basketball leagues, especially at the legendary Peacock Community Center and Woodlawn Gym where he consistently made All-Star teams. He also excelled at fastpitch softball playing for many teams across the city and in state tournaments where he was named to an all-state tournament team. However, his true passion was golf. He really got into golf after tearing his Achilles tendon in a baseball game. His doctor inexplicably placed him in a full-legged cast and one of his coworkers remarked, “I guess you’re not winning the golf tourney this year”. Immediately, Rudy practiced swinging with one good leg for a couple of weeks and not only played but won the golf tournament. Eventually with 2 good legs, Rudy shot the game of his life at Brackenridge golf course in the early ‘80s for a perfect par 72. Later, he hit a hole in one at Mission Del Lago hole #5 during a city golf tournament. In the end, Riverside golf course became his favorite municipal golf course where he played his last round at 88 years old. Rudy is survived by his sisters Mary Bloes of Oklahoma and Rachel Villarreal of San Antonio. His children David (Loretta) Valero, Letty Ehrlich, Patty (Rick) Castro, Maria Valero, Roger (Michelle) Valero & Cindy (Mark) Rodriguez. Also survived by 21 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his wife of 60 years Hope C. Valero, parents Jose & Celia Valero, granddaughter Giovanna Roselena Valero and his brothers Joe Valero and Gilbert Valero. Visitation will be held at Mission Park Funeral Chapels South on January 4, 2026 from 5pm to 8pm with a Rosary to begin at 7pm. A Rosary and Funeral Service will be held at Mission Park Funeral Chapels South on January 5, 2026 beginning at 10am. Deacon Louis Gomez of St. Monica’s Catholic Church will be officiating. Burial will follow at Mission Burial Park South.

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Rodolfo (Rudy) Garcia Valero

March 9, 1934 - December 26, 2025