Richard Rodriguez

He is survived by his wife, Claudia Sanchez Rodriguez; his youngest daughter Dayana Rodriguez; his son Angel Sanchez; his son Samuel Sanchez; his eldest daughter Denise (Rodriguez) Lopez; his middle daughter Deanna (Rodriguez) Lopez; and his son Roberto Davila.

He was born August 9,1949 in Corpus Christi, TX and was the son of his predeceased parents Abel and Augustina Rodriguez also from Corpus Christi, TX but later moved and resided in La Mirada, CA. His siblings include brothers; Robert A. Rodriguez, Abel J. Rodriguez, and Carlos A. Rodriguez (predeceased) along with his sisters, Norma Jean Soliz and Estella Smith.

Richard also had four grandchildren, they are Jesse Martinez, Jasmine Lopez, Jenna Lopez and Michael Cardenas.

In the early 60's, Richard attended Huntington Park High School throughout the duration of his high school years. However, during his senior year in 1964, he transferred to South Gate High School where he proceeded to graduate from. In high school Richard developed an interest in a few sports, football and boxing were his choices. He also loved the professional football team the Dallas Cowboys, they were his favorite. However, boxing was his primary interest and continued to remain a huge boxing fan all throughout his lifetime. In fact, there were many times Richard would invite everyone to the bail bond office, buy tons of food for everyone and watch any popular televised fight. He loved boxing so much that in 2019 his grandson Jesse opened a boxing gym in the city of South Gate and asked his grandfather Richard if he could name the gym. Richard named the gym Knockouts Boxing Gym, which remains open in South Gate to date.

A year later Dec 1965 after graduating High School, Richard enlisted and joined the United States Naval Service and was stationed in Long Beach, CA. He served a full 4 year term until honorably discharged in Sept 1969. During his term he was considered a Boatswain's Mate Third Class on Naval ship USS Cleveland LPD-7 and entered combat during the Vietnam war. Later he received four medals for his service. The medals he received were the following; 1) National Defense Service Medal 2) Vietnam Service Medal with Four Bronze Stars 3) Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device and 4) Meritorious Unit Commendation Ribbon. Richard was very proud to have been a Vietnam veteran and have served his country, the United States of America.

In1967, Richard married his first wife Rebecca Rodriguez whom which they share two daughters Denise and Deanna. During this time he worked as a machinist in a steel factory in Long Beach, CA and they bought their first home together in Lynwood, CA. He also worked part time helping his parents with their music and vending business which included juke boxes, cigarette machines, video games and pool tables. That lead to his next favorite hobby and passion of playing pool. He became so good at playing pool that he played often in many tournaments and actually won most as well. They were married for 18 years and later divorced in 1985.

Many years later, Richard met Ms Claudia Sanchez. Claudia had a young son named Angel Sanchez. In August 2002, Richard and Claudia had a daughter together named Dayana Rodriguez. The following year Feb 2003, Richard and Claudia got married and they built a home together in Mexicali, Mexico. Later in life, Claudia and Richard also took in and raised a young son named Samuel Sanchez Meanwhile, Richard still ran his long time Bail Bond business with Angel by his side which remains open in South Gate to date.

Richard got into the Bail Bond business over 30 years ago. He started working for a friend and running his business out of booth in a restaurant known as Mr. Rosewoods in Norwalk, CA. Richard and the owner were good friends so they would allow him to do so. One day Richard was driving down California Ave in South Gate and noticed a man putting a "For Rent" sign on the window of an office. he made a U-Turn in the middle of the street and approached the man. They made a deal and that office became Richards Bails Bonds for over the next 30 years. Richard was well known in the bail bond industry. He was known for his knowledge, his savy ways and the influence he had in the community. Throughout his duration of working in the bail industry, Richard helped many families with the reuniting of their families through bail and also responsible for the arrest and capture of many fugitives. Richard organized teams of bounty hunters, set up operations and investigations and worked diligently 24/7. His phone was constantly ringing. Getting up and out of bed at 2am 3am or 4am was a normal routine. Getting a few hours of sleep was normal routine. Working long hours, holidays and weekends was also a normal routine. Not too many people were built like Richard. He donated often to various charities, Wounded Warriors was one. He donated to the city of South Gate, the South Gate Police department, helped friends, family and even strangers.

In 2010 he asked his eldest daughter Denise and her family, who lived in Nashville, TN to move back home to California because he needed help and wanted to show them the business. They did. First, Denise's , Richard showed her the business and helped get her license so she also became a Bail Agent. Next he took in his grandson Jesse, trained him on how to run the business and how to become his lead investigator and bounty hunter. Later, he showed his son Angel everything he knew including getting his Bail Agent license and preparing him to eventually take over and continue the business which he does to this day . We know Richard was proud and he loved all of his friends and family even those he seldom spoke to. The lord definitely saw Richard getting tired and took him home peacefully. He will forever be in our hearts and will be very much missed. May he rest in peace.

A visitation for Richard will be held Tuesday, May 31, 2022 from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM at Del Angel Funeral home South Gate, 8665 California Ave, South Gate, CA 90280. A rosary will occur Tuesday, May 31, 2022 at 7:00 PM, 8665 California Ave, South Gate, CA 90280. A mass will occur Wednesday, June 1, 2022 at 10:00 AM, 8665 California Ave, South Gate, CA 90280.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.FunerariadelangelSouthGate.com for the Rodriguez family.