1933
Elias
2016
Elias Rodriguez
July 6, 1933 — June 7, 2016
Elias Reyes Rodriguez "Rod", 82 died on Sunday June 5 at 5:30 a.m. in Amarillo TX. No services are planned at this time. Arrangements by LaGrone Blackburn Shaw Funeral Directors, 8310 S Coulter Street, Amarillo, Texas.
Rod was born on July 6, 1933 in Cutler, California to Dom and Soledad Rodriguez. While growing up, Rod grew vegetables and a little cotton on his twenty-acre family farm. Rod joined the United States Air Force at the age of 18 and served from 1951 to 1972. During his 21 years of service, he helped develop film for the Korean and Vietnam Wars that helped the military with strategic strikes. He also help create instructional video on How to Survive in the Jungle. He was stationed in Turkey, Hawaii, England, Belgian, and many bases in the United States. While stationed in Kansas, he met the love of his life, Carol Hart; they married June 1968. Rod retired from the military and made Amarillo his home. He worked at Amarillo Globe News as a photographer, Rod worked twenty one years for Pantex in the Photo Lab having one of the highest security clearances during his time at Pantex. Rod continued his education after the military graduating from Amarillo College in 1977 with Associate in Applied Science. Then he went to Wayland Baptist College and graduated in 1979 with a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Education. Rod had many passions, of which music was one. He played the saxophone, piano, and guitars and played in a local band for many years. He passed that love of music to his sons and grandkids.
Rod was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Carol Rodriguez, and a son Ronnie Rodriguez.
He is survived by a son, Bobby Rodriguez and wife Jessica; two daughters, Julia Hill and Cholie DeLeon and her husband, Rick; 11 grandchildren, Anthony Gray, Jeremy Gray, Isabella Grivois, Sydney Rodriguez, Rion Rodriguez, Damien Rodriguez, Joshua Rodriguez, Matthew Rodriguez, Noah Rodriguez, Gabrielle DeLeon and Vanessa DeLeon.
The Family suggests memorials to any Veteran's Organization.
Rod was born on July 6, 1933 in Cutler, California to Dom and Soledad Rodriguez. While growing up, Rod grew vegetables and a little cotton on his twenty-acre family farm. Rod joined the United States Air Force at the age of 18 and served from 1951 to 1972. During his 21 years of service, he helped develop film for the Korean and Vietnam Wars that helped the military with strategic strikes. He also help create instructional video on How to Survive in the Jungle. He was stationed in Turkey, Hawaii, England, Belgian, and many bases in the United States. While stationed in Kansas, he met the love of his life, Carol Hart; they married June 1968. Rod retired from the military and made Amarillo his home. He worked at Amarillo Globe News as a photographer, Rod worked twenty one years for Pantex in the Photo Lab having one of the highest security clearances during his time at Pantex. Rod continued his education after the military graduating from Amarillo College in 1977 with Associate in Applied Science. Then he went to Wayland Baptist College and graduated in 1979 with a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Education. Rod had many passions, of which music was one. He played the saxophone, piano, and guitars and played in a local band for many years. He passed that love of music to his sons and grandkids.
Rod was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Carol Rodriguez, and a son Ronnie Rodriguez.
He is survived by a son, Bobby Rodriguez and wife Jessica; two daughters, Julia Hill and Cholie DeLeon and her husband, Rick; 11 grandchildren, Anthony Gray, Jeremy Gray, Isabella Grivois, Sydney Rodriguez, Rion Rodriguez, Damien Rodriguez, Joshua Rodriguez, Matthew Rodriguez, Noah Rodriguez, Gabrielle DeLeon and Vanessa DeLeon.
The Family suggests memorials to any Veteran's Organization.
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