Manuel "Manny" Rodriguez

Manuel "Manny" Rodriguez passed on the 3rd of August in the year of our Lord Jesus Christ 2019. With his body returning to be one with Earth and his spirit becoming one with All, Manny peacefully watches over his beloved family with Jesus Christ as he soars high upon the wings of Eagles. Manny's presence upon this Earth touched the hearts of those blessed to know him and his love shall forever be felt and remembered as an exceptionally caring friend, a devoted husband, and loving father whose commitment, determination, will, and strength serves as an example to those he left behind of the heart and love our Lord expressed onto us. Manny was born on May 31st, 1949 in Mission, Texas to Jose M. and Maria D. (Rosas) Rodriguez and grew up in southern Texas where his heart and mind would always return. Manny enjoyed working with his hands and spent much of his young adulthood actively employed in various tradecrafts throughout the midwest. He married the love of his life, Rafaela Chapa on April 24th, 1970 at St. John’s Catholic Church in San Juan, Texas. Manny worked as a migrant worker before establishing a career as a Maintenance Supervisor at First State Bank of Mission, Texas prior to retiring. As a man of character, Manny continued working in production for Del Monte and BIC APP in Sleepy Eye, MN. Manny had a tremendous passion for baseball and enjoyed the pastime with friends and family as it brought joy to many. Because of his love of Baseball, Manny umpired high school and amateur games for more than 20 years throughout Texas and Minnesota, culminating in his umpiring games at Hubert H. Humphrey stadium. Manny is survived by his wife, Rafaela of Mission, TX and seven children: Jose (Sleepy Eye, MN), Rafael (Sleepy Eye, MN), Juan (Saratoga Springs, NY), Maria (Mankato, MN), Veronika (Mankato, MN), Melissa (McAllen, TX), and Manuel Jr. (Mission, TX) and his several grandchildren: Jose, Leslie, Alejandro, David, Kenny, Bryan, Adam, Emily, Kelly, Derek, Angelika, Xavier, Kamron, Ahkil, and Trystin, respectively. Manny leaves behind two great-grandchildren Bella and Vincent and was proud to bear witness to a third generation of his lineage. Manny is also survived by his siblings Matias, Leonor, Juanita, Ramiro, and Rodolfo. He was preceded in death by his parents Maria and Manuel and his brothers Alfonso and Juan. Visitation will be Thursday, August 15, 2019 from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. with a rosary at 11:00 a.m. at Virgil Wilson Mortuary of Mission. Graveside service will be at 2:30 p.m. at Val Verde Memorial Gardens 6200 N. Val Verde Rd. Donna, TX 78537. Funeral services have been entrusted to the care of Virgil Wilson Mortuary of Mission.

Manuel "Manny" Rodriguez

May 31, 1949 - August 3, 2019