Esteban Campos 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.Visitation will be held on Thursday, October 9, 2014 from 12pm-9pm at Funeraria Del Angel with the recitation of the rosary at 7pm. Memorial service will be held at La Primera Iglesia Bautista of San Benito, Texas on Friday October 10, 2014 at 10 a.m.A private burial service will be held after the memorial service.