Esequiel "Rudy" Aguirre Jr.

He was born on July 20, 1946 in San Antonio, Texas. He was a graduate of Sidney Lanier High School. He was a Vietnam War Veteran serving proudly with the Big Red One Infantry Division of the United States Army.

He moved to Houston and married his wife, Sylvia and had just celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary. From this marriage were born his pride and joy; son, John Anthony and daughters, Christine Ann and Mary Elizabeth. He retired from the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center where he was employed for 20 years. He was an active member of St. Benedict the Abbot Catholic Church where he sang with the Spanish Choir under the direction of Silvia Rodriguez.

He loved watching sports especially the Dallas Cowboys and had his lifelong dream fulfilled when he attended a football game as a late Father’s Day present from his children. He also enjoyed traveling with his wife and Andres and Silvia Rodriguez who throughout the years of friendship became special members of his family. He will be deeply missed by them and the rest of the Rodriguez Family.

Along with his wife and children, he is survived by his mother, Juanita Aguirre, brothers - Adolfo, Refugio, Jose Antonio and Juan Antonio; sisters, Juanita, Margaret, Maria de la Luz, and Rosa Elva. He is preceded in death by his father, Esequiel Aguirre Sr., and sister, Victoria.

Visitation will be Tuesday, June 7, 2011 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. with a Rosary at 7:00 p.m. at Earthman Bellaire Funeral Home, 6700 Ferris. Funeral Mass at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, June 8, 2011 at St. Benedict the Abbot Catholic Church, 4025 Grapevine, with Father Huy Q. Dinh as celebrant and Father Barnabas Kilieu as co-celebrant. He will be laid to rest at Houston National Cemetery.

Serving as pall bearers will be Andres Rodriguez III, Alejandro Rodriguez, Alberto Rodriguez, Jose A. Rodriguez, Miguel A. Rodriguez, Fidel Sorto Jr., Alex Aguirre, and Bobby Aguirre.