Rodrigo Gacad Ragodos Sr.

Rodrigo Gacad Ragodos, known to his family and friends as Rudy, was the youngest of four brothers. He was born on the beautiful coast of Pangasinan, Philippines in Telbang, Alaminos and grew up in Santa Maria with his mother, Donelia, for the most part. His father, Narciso, who served in the Philippine Army with the US during WWII under General Douglas MacArthur, died young – when Rudy was only 4 years old.

Shortly after having graduated high school, he moved to Oahu in Hawaii, joining two of his older brothers, Roy and Simon. He loved being social and was very into cars in his younger years. Being an independent spirit, he eventually moved to the mainland US where he worked as a migrant worker, making many friends, traveling all over the country for crop harvesting and, eventually, managed bookkeeping jobs.

He met the love of his life in Florida in 1974, Anita, who he married two years later. Together they had two children, Rodrigo Junior and Nick, and Rudy became a dedicated provider for his family.

At the beginning of 1986, he and Anita moved the family across the country to California in search of better job opportunities and lived in Poplar and Hayward before eventually settling in Stockton, where they were welcomed with open arms by many Binalonan families and became loved members of the community. There, Rudy worked as an independent landscaper for close to 30 years.

His love for the Philippines remained strong and he maintained close connections to his relatives and friends in Santa Maria, Alaminos, and Sual throughout his life. He made it a point to visit there as often as he could.

Rudy has one grandson, Marcus Manuntag Ragodos, who he played a part in raising and liked to spoil when he was little. Rudy loved him dearly.

He always loved cooking for people and working with his hands. When he retired, he spent much of his days tending to his yard and his many plants and fruit trees.

Rudy was a very principled individual who strongly valued family and being good to others. His physical presence will be greatly missed by his family, relatives, friends, and neighbors. But he will be forever held in their hearts and remembered fondly for his kindness, generosity, and love.