Joel Reyes Rodriguez

Joel Reyes Rodriguez was born on June 13, 1938 in Harlingen, TX and passed away peacefully at 10:40am CT on November 25, 2021 in the comforts of his home in Santa Rosa, TX. He was surrounded by his loving family until his last breath.

Joel's favorite pastime was spending time outside with his pets... Anything outside was great for him. In his earlier years, he was known for his love of fishing even if it meant the whole family going fishing on Holidays. As time passed, he was most often seen sitting out on his porch or out on his ramp enjoying Mother Nature accompanied by his faithful fur babies. Another one of his loves was for food. Steak, lamb chops, hamburgers, vegetables, ice cream, cake, you cooked it he loved it!

Joel will be remembered for always trying to give life advice to all those he met: don't stress the small things, enjoy life, take it easy, make smart decisions were a few of his favorites to say. He was also known for his great sense of humor. His jokes were super clever so anyone talking with him had to be on their toes ready for the underlying jokes. At times the unaware recipient wouldn't realize the joke until they saw his mischievous smile cracking through... He had such a genuine smile that even in a room full of strangers if he smiled, everyone would end up smiling with him. His smile was infectious.

Joel is survived by his wife of 51 years Ramona Rodriguez, children Susan (Roy) Ramos of San Antonio, TX, Joel Rodriguez, Jr of Houston, TX, Crystella Camiel (Brian) Quicksall of Pflugerville, TX, Nancy (Richard) Garcia of Houston, TX. Step children: Martha (Jeff) Munoz, Javier Velez, Evangelina Velez, and Alfred Velez all of California. Grandchildren: Lorena Carolina Ramos, Luke Jacob Ramos; Gabrielle Elise Rodriguez, Elena Celeste Rodriguez, Nicholas Luis Rodriguez; Victoria Lynn (Jesse) Macias, Richard Mathew Garcia, Lauren Nicole Garcia. Great-grandchildren: Jaden Ace Macias and Malia Kai Macias. Fur babies: Petunia, Minnie and Travie. Siblings: Lupe Roman, Pauline (Joe) Castaneda, Eva Bradley, Joe Rodriguez, Lola (Rudy) Carr and Isabel Branscum. Also survived by many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents Ramon and Hermelinda Rodriguez, sisters Maria Galvan, Jane Bejarano and brother Luis Rodriguez.

As per Joel's last wishes he asked that no services be held at the time of his passing. His favorite saying was "See me when I'm alive, not when I'm no longer here." Special thanks to the Galvan family of La Féria, TX, Diane Valdez of Weslaco, TX and Mel Roschal of Houston, TX for always being there for Joel and Ramona.

A Poem for our Pop:

To the world you may have just been somebody,

But to all of us you were the world.

Loving you always;

Forgetting you never.

-Author Unknown

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made on behalf of Joel Reyes Rodriguez to the Harlingen Humane Society (www.hshtx.org) or the American Parkinson’s Foundation (www.apdaparkinson.org).