Mario Rodriguez

Mario returned to his heavenly ranch home on the evening of February 1, 2024, in Willcox, Arizona. He started his earthly journey December 17, 1935, in San Mateo, California to Avelino and Carmen (Martinez) Rodriguez. Sharing this journey were his siblings Anita, Sylvia, and Andy. Mario completed High School and one of his biggest highlights was his one-year attendance at the college in Mexico City studying Art. He served in the United States Army receiving an honorable discharge with the rank of SP4 on March 8, 1962. Mario worked and eventually retired as an estimator for Pacific Gas and Electric Company of California. While working he was able to study and receive several college degrees. Mario was trilingual, mastering three different languages. He got married to his wife Kay and to that union they were blessed with two wonderful sons Shawn and Mike and two granddaughters Andrea and Zoe. In 1985 that marriage ended. As a young child he developed a great love of animals and pigeons, this love led him into breeding and racing pigeons to the last of his days. Raising cattle and horses took him to early retirement to Lewistown, Montana. He had his lifelong dream of ranching, raising hay and racing his birds. In late 2003 he met Meridee Walker, sharing their love of dancing and music. They were married in Cancun, Mexico on January 29,2005 and to that union he welcomed his stepdaughter Tracey and her husband Steve, and grandkids Travis, Brittney and Logan and great grandkids Lillian and Cash. A moved was made to a warmer climate, Willcox, Arizona where he continued to ranch, and taking care of his birds. Mario would expand his love of animals to include chickens, goats, cats, and a couple of dogs. He held a black belt in Judo and developed a passion for hot rods. His other great love was sports, (never missing his boys sporting events during their school years) and had been an Assistant Coach for the Oroville Rhinos Pop Warner Football team, and he was proud of his Mexican heritage, music, and language. Mario had a passion for living, loving and learning, later in his life he would comment about focusing on one or two, but he loved them all. Mario had a strong faith which carried him throughout his life. He also enjoyed “good” movies. On his last day he was doing what he loved, tending to his animals, birds and ending his day watching a movie when he was called to heavenly ranch home. Mario will be missed by so many family members, extended and old and new friends. A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, May 18, 2024, beginning at 1:00 pm at Massai Point in the Chiricahua National Monument.

Mario Rodriguez

December 17, 1935 - February 1, 2024