Dilmes "Pop" Angel Colon-Rodriguez

Dilmes Angel Colón-Rodriguez was born on February 23, 1940, to Emilio Colón-Rivera and Fulgencia Rodriguez-Fuentes, in Orocovis, Puerto Rico. He called himself a “hick who lived in the country”, and as a kid he would help plant crops in the fields, recalling, “Every time I left the house I had to cross a river, so I was always wet!”

He then moved with his mother to the Bronx, New York, where speaking only Spanish made things difficult, as there were no special classes to help him learn English. “There were no Spanish teachers,” he explained, “you just had to stay there in that chair, and learn English the fastest way you could – and I tell you what, I learned it real quick!”

At age 19, he went to a club and saw a girl across the room, mentioning to his sister Mimi nearby, “You see that girl over there? I'm gonna marry her.” He then asked her to dance, and they danced the rest of the night away. They dated for a year, and in 1960, he married that girl – Rosa Rios.

Rosa's Mom, however, gave the marriage 6 months. (She was only 65 years off!)

Shortly after the wedding, Dilmes received a phone call from the Army during the draft. He had a different idea, however, “I ain't joining no Army,” he thought, “I ain't gonna sleep on the ground and all that!” So he joined the Air Force, and was stationed in Orlando, Florida, where their first son, Dilme Angel Colón-Rios (Sito) was born.

A year after Sito's birth, the family moved back to the Bronx, and four years later they had their second son, Lionel.

Another year passed, and Dilmes and Rose left New York for Kansas City, where Dilmes became an officer with the Kansas City Police Department – and following three years with the KCPD, joined the U.S. Postal Service.

A series of events took place, which led Dilmes's path to cross with Cheryl Adams, and shortly thereafter, Cheryl's husband Jeff led Dilmes to accept Jesus Christ as his Savior. (Rose had previously accepted Christ while watching the Billy Graham Crusade on television).

Dilmes marked the very beginning of Jeff’s Spanish speaking ministry, as Jeff spoke no Spanish at the time, and needed a little help from Rose to translate.

The Colón family attended Calvary Baptist Church in Lenexa for 3 years, Armour Heights Baptist Church in in KCMO for 9 years, and eventually landed at Kansas City Baptist Temple, where Jeff and Cheryl Adams were attending, with Jeff as senior pastor – and served faithfully at KCBT (now Graceway) for over 30 years.

“Pop”, as many of his friends called him, was a voracious reader, and loved studying the Bible, as well as writings from various Christian authors.

He worked two jobs for most of his life, and as his wife Rose would say, “Papi works TWO jobs, and he still finds time to run!” And run he did – it was a rare day when Dilmes didn't put on his running shorts and tank-top and take off for a jog down Ward Parkway, oftentimes going to the Country Club Plaza and back, which was 9 miles. If you ever mentioned you'd like to run with him, he would give you a sly grin and chuckle saying, “Man, I'll put dust in your face!”

When it came to movies and television, he enjoyed James Bond, Rocky, and if you ever heard hysterical laughing emanating from his bedroom, you could be fairly certain he was watching a Pink Panther movie with Peter Sellers, or, perhaps, The Three Stooges.

He loved a well manicured lawn, and enjoyed making his front yard resemble a putting green.

For those who were fortunate enough to be invited over for some of Rose's famous rice and beans, he would no doubt reach into the refrigerator and pull out a large bottle of his homemade hot sauce, offering it generously with a slight nod.

He enjoyed all things baseball – and though his favorite player was Willie Mays, his favorite team was the New York Yankees. He loved his Yankees – and when they were in town playing the Kansas City Royals, you knew there was a good chance he was at the stadium cheering them on.

As time passed, Dilmes yearned to be a grandfather - and though his son Sito was offering no help on that front, his son Lionel stepped up to the proverbial plate and married Michele, and from that union sprung forth Lionel (Nene) and Micael (ChiChi). To say he absolutely adored his grandsons, would be the biggest understatement in the history of understatements.

Dilmes leaves a legacy as an obedient son, faithful husband, wise uncle and mentor, supportive cousin, devoted father and father-in-law, adoring grandfather, loyal friend, and committed Christian.

“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” Philippians 4:13 KJV

“His Lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.” Matthew 25:23 KJV

A visitation will be held on November 22, 2025, from 10:00 am to 11:00 am at Graceway Church, located at 5460 Blue Ridge Cutoff, Raytown, Missouri, 64133.

Following the visitation, a Celebration of Life will take place at the same venue starting at 11:00 am.