Rodolfo L. Lopez

RODOLFO "RUDY" LOPEZ MCALLEN - Rodolfo “Rudy” Lopez, 80, beloved husband, father and grandfather peacefully entered his eternal rest Tuesday, March 18, 2014 at his home in McAllen, TX, surrounded by his loving family and beloved pet, Clarisse, following a lengthy battle with cancer. Rudy was the youngest of six children born in Hidalgo, TX, to Antonio & Angelita Lopez. He was a 1952 graduate of PSJA High School and later married his high school sweetheart, Alicia Morales and were married for 59 wonderful years. Rudy was a member of the Texas State National Guard where he rose to the rank of Captain. He was a devout Catholic and fourth degree Knight of Columbus with our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church of McAllen, TX, until his illness prevented active participation. Rudy was known for always extending a helping hand to anyone in need, as he often reflected on the difficulties he faced when going into the propane business with “$52.00 dollars in his pocket and a rented truck” as he would often say. He and his wife overcame insurmountable obstacles and they established a successful propane distributorship for 59 years. Rudy was famous for his larger than life personality and witty sense of humor. He knew no strangers and kept in touch with friends from all over the world, many of whom he met during his 11 year treatment at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, TX. Rudy served on the Board of Directors of Sharyland Water Supply Corporation for 40 years, twenty-five of those serving as President. He affectionately referred to Sherilyn Dahlberg & the entire SWSC staff as his extended family. His integrity and love for the corporation over the years have helped make it an exceptional organization, which is widely admired by others in the water industry. Rudy cherished spending time with this family, working in his garden, and caring for his cattle. He loved a good White-wing dove hunt, fishing at South Padre Island and an occasional King Salmon fishing trip to Ketchikan, Alaska. He is preceded in death by his parents, Antonio and Angelita Lopez; a brother, Ramiro Lopez; and a sister, Guadalupe Cantu. Rudy is survived by his loving wife, Alicia Lopez (Morales); four children, Rudy Jr. (Karen) of League City, TX, Vivian Kim (Mike) Guajardo of Houston, TX, Rolando (Marla) of Chesterfield, MO, Jessica (Anacleto “Bo”) Botello of McAllen, TX; three grandchildren, Nicole Lopez of Webster, TX, Mike Guajardo, Jr. of Houston, TX, and Christina (Juan) Moncada of Simpsonville, SC; three sisters, Irene (+Adolfo) Benavidez of Pflugerville, TX, Ofelia (Raul) Cavazos of McAllen, TX, Dora (Raul) Ramirez of Pharr, TX; and numerous nieces and nephews who he loved dearly. Visitation will be held from 3 to 9 p.m., with a 7 p.m. rosary today, March 19, 2014 and March 20, 2014, at Memorial Funeral Home, 208 E. Canton in Edinburg. Funeral mass will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, March 21, 2014, at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church in McAllen with Monsignor Gus Barrera officiating. Interment will follow at Palm Valley Memorial Gardens in Pharr. Pallbearers will be: Fernando De Leon, Carlos De Leon, Oscar De Leon, Joe Salinas, Joe Vasquez and Abel Garza, Jr. Honorary pallbearers include the members of the Breakfast Club: Gordon Jenkins, Ervin Freemire, Ron Gonzalez, Javier Garza and Pepe Garza – Charlie Beamsley, Kenneth Beamsley, Mike Lyssy, Mark Moseley, Rey Salinas, Ovidio Castillo, Santiago Galarza, Edward Gonzalez, John Paul Botello, Peter Joseph Botello, Angel “Honda” Avila, Raul Roberto Ramirez III, Robert X. Lopez, Arthur M. Davila, Gilbert Cisneros, Steven Cisneros, Steve Garcia & Joseph Rosales. The family wishes to extend its profound gratitude to Dr. Scott Kopetz and Dr. Ryanne Coulson at MD Anderson, Cancer Center in Houston, TX, along with the talented staff of St. Jude's Home Health Agency and IPH Hospice Care, Inc. for their extraordinary assistance and sincere reverence. Additionally, special thanks to David Deanda and Angie Vera-Oliva as well as the entire Lone Star National Bank staff for the continued and unwavering support. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to: Our Lady of Sorrows Knights of Columbus “Scholarship Fund” 1108 West Hackberry McAllen, TX 78501 or MD Anderson Cancer Center - PO Box 4486, Houston, TX 77210-4486 . For information on memorial funds please call 713-792-3450 or 1-800-525-5841. Please include the name of the person that you wish to honor with your memorial gift. Funeral services are under the direction of Memorial Funeral Home in Edinburg.