Rodrigo Sanabria Rodriguez

RODRIGO "ROD" SANABRIA RODRIGUEZ was born March 13, 1931 in Houston, TX to Manuel Benavidez Rodriguez and Adela Sanabria Rodriguez. Rod was 87 years old, passed away peacefully and entered into heaven after a 13-year battle with cancer on May 8, 2018. He attended Jeff Davis High School and in 1950 he volunteered to join the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He was shipped to Germany where he was a gunner with the 2nd Armored Division, 66th Medium Tank Battalion also known as "Hell on Wheels". He was stationed there when his childhood sweetheart, Flora Munguia joined him to be married in Mainz Gonsenheim, Germany. They lived there for 2 years where their first child Rodrigo Jr. was born in Weisbaden, Germany. Upon his Honorable Discharge from the Army, they returned to Houston where 2 more children, son Ronald and daughter Cindy were born.

Rod started training as an apprentice manufacturing jeweler under the G.I. Bill of Rights with Levit's Jewelry and remained there for 20 years. Later he worked for Star Jewelry and Foley's until he set up his own shop and did work for several other jewelry stores. Years later he joined the family-owned Munguia Furniture Company and set up a retail jewelry department in the store until his retirement and the business closing on December 13, 1997. Active in serving his community, Rod was a member of the Port Houston Lions Club, Club Mexico Bello, Fiestas Patrias Grand Ball Committee of Houston, Charter Member of Jeff Davis Hispanic Alumni Association, Associate Life Member of the National Guard Association of Texas, American Legion Post #77, a 32nd Degree Scottish Rite Mason with the Jacques De Molay Masonic Lodge #1390 and Shriner member of the Arabia Shrine Center where he joined the Legion of Honor and Greeters.

Rod leaves behind his wife Flora after 66 years of marriage and sons Rodrigo Jr. and wife Mirtha, Ronald and wife Cynthia, and daughter Cindy and husband Paul Morris. Grandchildren include Steven Rodriguez, Marissa Benat (Brad), Michelle Baker (Brandon), Kathleen Gorman (Aubrey), Laura Lewis (Brett), Andrew Morris (Kelsey) and Samuel Morris. Great-grandchildren include Caroline Brownfield, Sophia Benat, Jacob Baker, Cynthia Baker and Madeleine Lewis.

A visitation and rosary will be held on Tuesday, May 15th at Forest Park, 6900 Lawndale from 6:00-9:00 p.m. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, 6800 Buffalo Speedway on Wednesday, May 16, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. Graveside services will follow at Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery. Serving as Pallbearers are Ronald M. Rodriguez, Steven Rodriguez, Andrew Morris, Sam Morris, Brad Benat, Brandon Baker, Aubrey Gorman and Roscoe Knight. Special acknowledgement is made to the loving caregivers at the Parc at Traditions, Bryan, TX. The family suggests donating to the Healthwell Foundation at www.heathwellfoundation.org/donate/ in lieu of flowers.