Esteban Rodriguez
After twenty years of preaching the “Word of God”, Esteban Rodriguez, 67, a Vietnam War Veteran, passed away peacefully and went to be in the presence of “The Lord” on Monday afternoon October 6, 2014 surrounded by his family at Valley Baptist Medical Hospital.
He was a native of San Benito, Texas where upon graduation from San Benito High School immediately volunteered for service in the U.S. Marine Corps. In 1994 he graduated from Houston Baptist University with a BA degree in Education and began his teaching career. He also attended a Baptist Seminary school and began his preaching mission. His Baptist ministerial training took him to California, Arizona, New Mexico, and finally Houston and Mercedes, Texas. His last ministry was the Indian Hills Baptist Mission in Mercedes, Texas. He was also a retired school teacher for the Mercedes Independent School District and volunteer chaplain at the Knapp Medical Center in Weslaco, Texas.
He is preceded in passing by his father, Esteban V. Rodriguez, and brother, Guadalupe Rodriguez. Esteban is survived by his children: Rebecca (Jose Luis Martinez), of Mercedes; Jaime (Rachael) Meza, of Salt Lake City, Utah; Mauricio (Judy) Arrevalo, of Houston, and Clara Mayte Wills, of North Carolina. He is also survived by 9 grandchildren Olivia Meza; Sophia, Grace, and Clara Wills; Zion, Josiah, Selah, and Ezequiel Martinez; and Alina and Yanita Arrevalo. Surviving nephews and nieces are Andy (Belinda) Gomez with great nieces Mia and Madison; and Gabrielle (Ramon) Ocumarez with great nephew Michael Anthony.
Other survivors include mother, Maria C. Rodriguez; brothers Daniel Rodriguez and Jose F. Rodriguez; sisters Rosalinda Rodriguez and Gloria (Leroy) Gomez all from San Benito, Texas.
Memorial services will be held at La Funeraria del Angel In Harlingen, Texas on Thursday October 9, 2014 @ 7 p.m. and at La Primera Iglesia Bautista of San Benito, Texas on Friday October 10, 2014 @ 10 a.m.
A private burial service will be held after the Friday Service.
2 comments
I just read your brother’s obituary and was touched by all he did to help himself so that he could help others. I am a native from San Benito and also a veteran’s advocate. Please make sure that your mother looks into any veteran’s survivor benefits that may be due to her. Successful Agent Orange VA claims resulting from serving in Vietnam have bought VA DIC (Dependency and Indemnity Compensation) payments to surviving spouses and free or reduced health insurance, God bless. You’re brother is “gone but not forgotten!” Your local VFW Post should provide assistance for free.
My brother did not put much stock into materialistic possessions or money. His goal in life was to be of service to those less fortunate.
Two qualities or characteristics that made my brother a “Good Man” were 1) he placed his confidence in God and 2) he was always concerned with the welfare of others.
This December 19, 2007 “Slice of Life VMS article about my brother pretty much describes the kind of person he was.
I will very much miss his Saturday visits with our Mom and if there is a “Whataburger” in heaven, he is truly in “Heaven”.
JR