Obituaries
November 11, 2022
Rosalio Rodriguez Jr.
On November 11, 2022, Rosalio passed peacefully after a brief illness in
Mesquite TX. at the age of 94.
Rosalio was born at home in La Paloma, Texas to Maria Portilla Rodriguez and Rosalio
Esparza Rodriguez on June 15, 1928 the fourth of five children. He was a son, brother, U.S.
veteran, husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, uncle, great grand uncle, great-
great grand uncle. He was involved in community and educational organizations, in roles of
leadership, he was a role model to his children, nephews, and other family members, as well
as a mentor to his students. He encouraged his children to attend college which they all did,
following different career paths.
Rosalio Rodriguez Jr. Is preceded in death by his loving wife of 50 years Maria Elena Garza
Rodriguez, his son George Rodriguez, his grandsons Jorge Michael Bailey, Joseph Lee Bailey Jr., Sean A. May, his sisters Abelia Rodriguez, Lydia Cardoza, brothers Guadalupe Rodriguez, Jose
Guadalupe Rodriguez Sr. and nephew Vicente Rodriguez. He is survived by daughters Ida Mae
Rodriguez-Bailey (Joseph Sr.), Margret Elizabeth Endres, Ann Marie Rodriguez-May (David ),
sons Rosalio Rodriguez Ill, Christopher Nelson Rodriguez, nephew Jose Guadalupe Rodriguez
Jr.(Angela), six grandchildren, six great-great grandchildren, Two nephews, two great grand
nieces, four great grand nephews, one great-great grandniece, two great-great
grandnephews, several 2" and 3rd cousins by marriage.
Rosalio graduated from San Benito High School in San Benito, Texas and joined the U.S. Air
Force soon after. While in the USAF he was based in England during the Berlin Airlift and was
a Navigator on the Douglas C-54 Skymaster aircraft.
In 1952 he married his love Maria Elena Garza in Brownsville, Texas and they started their life
together in La Paloma, Texas.
He was the only member of his senior class to get a college degree. He used his Gl benefits to
attend Texas Southmost College in Brownsville, Texas, Pan American College in Edinburg,
Texas and Texas A & | University in Kingsville Texas. He got an Associates Degree. Bachelors
of Education, and a Masters of Education.
His career as an educator spanned 30 years. His first job was as a teacher for the San Benito
CISD, at Los Indos, Texas, then Brownsville ISD, e was the first Hispanic hired by the Flour Bluff
ISD In 1970. He was the Director of Bilingual Ed. at West Oso ISD In Corpus Christi, Texas. He
retired from teaching at Dallas ISD. He continued working in retail and education until the
2000s.