Michael Rodriguez, or as he was best known, Grandpa Mike, was born March 13, 1941 in Gallup, NM to father, Louis G. Rodriguez of Puebla, Mexico and mother, Marajinia(Mary) Sanchez of Cubero, NM.
Grandpa Mike is survived by his brother, Alex Rodriguez; step children, Charles Thurman and Rachel Carnell; a host of grandchildren; and several great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his wife, Ruth Rodriguez; parents; step daughter, Stephanie J. Rhodes; step mother, Maria Elena Chavez of Gallup, NM; and siblings, Laura Rodriguez, Stella Rodriguez, Tresa Rodriguez and Daniel Rodriguez.
Grandpa was an extraordinary man, who lived a life of service to his country, retiring from the United States Army and the United States Postal Service.
He and his wife truly enjoyed travel and experiencing life’s great cultures. He was respectful, but a ladies’ man. He would laugh at his own jokes and could make you laugh with stories he would love to tell all the time. Grandpa was someone to look up to. He wore loud clothing, but he never really cared what others thought because he was true to himself and who he was. He was patient, loving, kind, and generous but was comfortable saying “enough already”. He could light up a room or liven up a party, for his smile, and his laughter was contagious, and he definitely broke it down on the dance floor.
Grandpa had a massive heart of a giver. He helped all those he loved, and he took care of his family. He was generous to strangers and passed a stuffed animal any chance he could. We truly believe he lived a life full of joy and passed on that joy to others.
We might cry because we will miss him, but we have the comfort that he is with the Lord. That he lived a good and fulfilled life, and that he has once again been reunited with his red head, Ruth.
We love you, Grandpa Mike, you will be missed.
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