Holden J. Rodriguez

Holden Joseph Rodriguez was called home by his heavenly father on October 12, 2022 at the age of 97. Holden was born on April 4, 1925 in White Castle, Louisiana. He attended both Public and Catholic schools. Holden was very musically talented and taught himself to sing and play Country and Western music on a home-made guitar at a very young age. He also played with some of his brothers at local establishments.

Holden joined the Merchant Marines of the U. S. Coast Guard in 1946 and traveled the world. He enlisted into the army on December 30, 1946 and was stationed in Germany near the end of WWII as part of the occupation forces. While in the army Holden had a chance to participate in the 1946 Olympic trials as a freestyle swimmer. He rose to a rank of Sergeant and was discharged on June 7, 1948. He was awarded several medals for his service as a WWII veteran.

Holden received his High School Diploma from Warren Easton High School on April 3, 1950. He received his Refrigeration Technical training certificate from Delgado Trade school on June 30, 1950. He received his National Radio Institute certificate in 1958.

Holden worked for Red’s Heating & Air conditioning in Arabi, Louisiana until he was hired by Kaiser Aluminum in Chalmette, Louisiana in 1952. He worked in the Rectifier Station and then became an Instrumentation Technician. Holden retired from Kaiser in 1987 at the age of 62.

Holden was a devout Catholic and attended St. Gabriel the Archangel Catholic Church in Gentilly Woods form 1952 – 1962. He became a member of St. John Vianney Catholic church in Arabi; followed by St. Robert Bellarmine Catholic church where he served as an usher and bingo caller. After Katrina in 2005 devastated his home in Arabi, he became a member of St. Edwards the Confessor in Metairie, La. where he also served as an usher.

Holden was a member of the American Legion Post # 377 in Kenner, LA. He was also a member and donor to the WWII museum in New Orleans. Holden participated and was elected as an officer of several AARP organizations in St. Bernard Parish. He was a member of the Kaiser Aluminum Retirees Association and a member of SOAR (Steelworkers of America)

Holden was born to the late Camelia Alleman Rodriguez and Manuel Rodriguez. He is survived by his wife, Gladys Guidry Rodriguez; sister-in-law(s) Peggy & Velma Rodriguez, Rose Zito, Josie & Jane Herbert and Earlene Guidry; daughter, Karen Rodriguez Brown (Raymond) and son(s), Ronald Joseph Rodriguez (Lee) and Don Patrick Rodriguez (Susan); his grandchildren, Brent Wayne McGough (Gelinda), Michelle Rodriguez Jatho (Woodrow), Matthew Joseph Rodriguez (Ali), Shannon Yvonne Rodriguez (Don Russell, Jr.), Khristina Rodriguez, and Brandon Rodriguez (Sarah); his great grandchildren, Trevor McGough, Megan Taylor (Josh), Peyton Callaghan, Hailey Landwehr, Bryson, Mason, Jessica and Jackson Jatho and Kolbe, Annabelle, Remy, Gabe and Cassian Rodriguez and Xander Russell; great great grandchildren, Kye and Remi Taylor. He is preceded in death by his brother(s) Whitney, Lloyd, Jos. Kearney (Marie), Amos (Janice), Wilson (Marilyn) and Warren Rodriguez; sister(s) Mildred Ourso (Arthur) and Madeline Gentiles (Jack); brother-in-law(s) Cleve Guidry (Luella), James Zito, Merlin & Earl Herbert, and Percy Guidry; sister-in-law(s) Edmae Martin (Chester), Elsie Stone (Bill), Cecile Tamburillo (Walter); his granddaughter Brandi McGough Landwehr; his great-granddaughter Hannah Landwehr. Holden will be missed by many nieces, nephews and friends.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a visitation to be held at St. Bernard Memorial Funeral Home, 701 W. Virtue Street, Chalmette, LA 70043 on Thursday, October 20, 2022 beginning at at 10:30 AM, followed by a Celebration of Life at 12:30 PM in the Chapel. A Funeral Mass will begin at 1:00 PM. He will be laid to rest with military honors in St. Bernard Memorial Gardens. If you would prefer to make a donation in lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to WWII Museum, www.nationalww2museum.org/give or Catholic Charities, www.ccano.org in Holden Rodriguez’s name.