Joe Rodriguez
Mar 1, 1915 - Apr 4, 2011
Posted by Jo Aguirre

Paper: Muskogee Daily Phoenix and Times-Democrat (OK)
Deceased: Joe Rodriguez 1915 -2011
Date: April 6, 2011

Joe Rodriguez passed away on April 4, 2011, at VAMC, Oklahoma City, OK. Joe was born to Severo and Refugia (Cuca) Gonzalez Rodriguez on March 1, 1915 in Laredo, Texas.

Joe moved from Laredo, Texas as a young boy, moving to the Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas area. He had to become the man of the house at a very young age of 13 when his father died and he went to work for the local produce companies such as Goodman's Produce and Ben E. Keith as a warehouseman until World War II broke out and he joined the 45th infantry. He served in the European Theater and was blown off a bridge near Salerno, Italy. Joe received the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with one bronze star, World War II Victory Medal, and Combat Infantry Badge.

Joe returned to work for Ben E. Keith Company for 35 years and retired to Council Hill with his wife, Chris Rodriguez, and started working on a farm.

Joe enjoyed fishing and building his Martindale bird houses. It was a work of love for all birds which he enjoyed until his death. All of his grandkids and great-grandkids had a good time when they were with him. Joe would take them fishing, swimming, and riding around the country.

Joe was preceded in death by his father Severo Rodriguez; mother, Refugia (Cuca) Gonzalez; brother, Pilar Rodriguez; and his sister, Angelia Rodriguez. He was widowed in 2004 with the loss of his wife Chris Rodriguez of 60 years.

Joe is survived by his daughter of the home, Martha Armstrong, and son-in-law Athol Armstrong; his son, Michael and Janis Rodriguez of Weatherford, TX; grandchildren, Renee Carter of home, Kimberly and Gregory Stauffer of Council Hill, Jason and Tiffany Armstrong of Rockdale, Texas, Lisa Sessions of San Antonio, Texas, Andrea and Chris Wisely; 18 great-grandchildren; cousins, Mary Moore of Irving, TX and Ramon Gonzales of San Antonio, TX.

Funeral services for Joe will be conducted 2:00pm Thursday at Hampton Memorial Chapel with Dr. Andy Bowman officiating. Interment will follow with military honors at Greenlawn Cemetery with Noah Armstrong, Seth Armstrong, Tommy Ledbetter, Jesse Jackson, Gregory Stauffer and Wayne Ledbetter serving as pallbearers.

Services are entrusted to Hampton Mortuary of Checotah, OK. Friends may share condolences with the family at www.hamptonmortuary.com.

Thank You For Your Service!