1926
Rodrigo
2017
Rodrigo Elizondo Sr.
March 14, 1926 — January 26, 2017
Rodrigo Elizondo Sr., 90, passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by his loving family on Thursday, January 26, 2017.
He is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Gloria Elizondo and daughter Christy Baldazo, his parents Felipe and Melchorita Elizondo, four brothers, Armando, Oscar, David and Felipe Elizondo all from Pharr.
Rodrigo was born March 14, 1926, in Pharr, Texas and lived most of his life in McAllen.
He leaves behind his children, Blanca (Henry) Sanchez of Sharyland, Rodrigo “Rudy” (Dolly) Elizondo of McAllen, Rosy Lopez of San Antonio, Charlie (Pauline) Elizondo of McAllen, Mitzi (Mario) Valdez of Houston; his loving sisters, Belia Gutierrez, Olga Lea, Elva Benitez and Lydia Campos; grandchildren, Marissa (Corey) Gilbert, Michelle (Billy) Burton, Andy Lopez, Laura (John) Justin, Tom (Alex) Baldazo, Brandi (Daniel) Hawkins, Ashley Valdez, Enid, Elize and Edward Sanchez, Michael and Nicholas Padron; great-grandchildren, Lindsey and Jacob Gilbert, Johnny and Bianca Aguirre, Olivia and Kayla Justin, Michaella and Kimberly Burton, Nadia Chapa; son-in-law, Charlie Baldazo.
After his father’s death in 1951, Rodrigo took over the family business “La Palma Mexican Products” and served as Pharr City Commissioner in 1954. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge in Monterrey, N.L. and The Lulac and Lion’s Club in McAllen.
He proudly served his country as a Sergeant in World War II. While stationed at Fort Knox, he was selected as the first Hispanic to march in the opening ceremonies of the Kentucky Derby in 1944.
Mr. Elizondo’s business career began as an agent for Life and Casualty Insurance in 1959 and retired from American General Insurance in 1987.
His greatest pleasure in life was making people laugh and traveling to Las Vegas with his wife. His legacy will live on in his loving children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Rodrigo was one of a kind and an “A” class individual who was well respected and loved by many.
The family extends a special Thank You to his caregiver, Ana Llanas and Elvia Sanchez, Allegiance Home Health Care, St. Joseph Hospice and McAllen Heart Hospital ICU Staff.
Visitation will be held from 4 to 9 p.m. with a 7 p.m. rosary today, January 29, 2017, at Memorial Funeral Home in San Juan. Funeral service will take place at 11 a.m. Monday, January 30, 2017, at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church in McAllen. Interment will follow at Rio Grande Valley State Veterans Cemetery.
Military honors will be conducted by VFW Post 8788 of McAllen.
Funeral services are under the direction of Memorial Funeral Home of San Juan.
He is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Gloria Elizondo and daughter Christy Baldazo, his parents Felipe and Melchorita Elizondo, four brothers, Armando, Oscar, David and Felipe Elizondo all from Pharr.
Rodrigo was born March 14, 1926, in Pharr, Texas and lived most of his life in McAllen.
He leaves behind his children, Blanca (Henry) Sanchez of Sharyland, Rodrigo “Rudy” (Dolly) Elizondo of McAllen, Rosy Lopez of San Antonio, Charlie (Pauline) Elizondo of McAllen, Mitzi (Mario) Valdez of Houston; his loving sisters, Belia Gutierrez, Olga Lea, Elva Benitez and Lydia Campos; grandchildren, Marissa (Corey) Gilbert, Michelle (Billy) Burton, Andy Lopez, Laura (John) Justin, Tom (Alex) Baldazo, Brandi (Daniel) Hawkins, Ashley Valdez, Enid, Elize and Edward Sanchez, Michael and Nicholas Padron; great-grandchildren, Lindsey and Jacob Gilbert, Johnny and Bianca Aguirre, Olivia and Kayla Justin, Michaella and Kimberly Burton, Nadia Chapa; son-in-law, Charlie Baldazo.
After his father’s death in 1951, Rodrigo took over the family business “La Palma Mexican Products” and served as Pharr City Commissioner in 1954. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge in Monterrey, N.L. and The Lulac and Lion’s Club in McAllen.
He proudly served his country as a Sergeant in World War II. While stationed at Fort Knox, he was selected as the first Hispanic to march in the opening ceremonies of the Kentucky Derby in 1944.
Mr. Elizondo’s business career began as an agent for Life and Casualty Insurance in 1959 and retired from American General Insurance in 1987.
His greatest pleasure in life was making people laugh and traveling to Las Vegas with his wife. His legacy will live on in his loving children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Rodrigo was one of a kind and an “A” class individual who was well respected and loved by many.
The family extends a special Thank You to his caregiver, Ana Llanas and Elvia Sanchez, Allegiance Home Health Care, St. Joseph Hospice and McAllen Heart Hospital ICU Staff.
Visitation will be held from 4 to 9 p.m. with a 7 p.m. rosary today, January 29, 2017, at Memorial Funeral Home in San Juan. Funeral service will take place at 11 a.m. Monday, January 30, 2017, at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church in McAllen. Interment will follow at Rio Grande Valley State Veterans Cemetery.
Military honors will be conducted by VFW Post 8788 of McAllen.
Funeral services are under the direction of Memorial Funeral Home of San Juan.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Rodrigo Elizondo Sr., please visit our flower store.
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Monday, January 30, 2017
Our Lady Of Perpetual Help
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