Hector Moreno Rodriguez

Rod was born October 6, 1934, in San Antonio, Texas. He passed away peacefully on February 19, 2022, in El Paso, Texas. His parents Juan Ramos Rodriguez and Maria del Rosario Ramon Moreno predeceased him along with his brothers Rudy, Johnny and sister, Nena. He is survived by his brother Robert (Antonia) and his five children Yvonne, Darlene (Daniel), Lil Rod, Carlos (Rachel), and Ricky (Jaime). He is also survived by his grandchildren, Michael, Sebastian, Aubrey, Marissa, Alexa, Gabriel, Garrett and Olivia.

Rod graduated from Edgewood High School and promptly joined the Army. As one of the first Hispanic helicopter pilots, he served two tours in Vietnam. Because of his exceptional service, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster; Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with a Palm; Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with a Bronze Star; Air Medal with Numerals 46; Army Commendation Medal with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster; and Vietnam Campaign and Expeditionary Medals. Rod received an Honorable Discharge retiring after nearly 21 years with the U.S. Army as a Chief Warrant Officer 3.

After retirement from the Army at the ripe old age of 40 years, Rod began post-Army working life launching his businesses Rod’s Air Conditioning and then Rod’s Rentals. Characteristically, he worked six days a week until he was 83 years old.

How do you encapsulate a life well lived for 87 years in a couple of paragraphs?

Rod loved beer, country music, fishing, working and above all his children. He was courageous, kind, wise, respectful, funny, loving, talkative, intelligent, hard-working, and constantly strived to be a strong provider for his family. As a father, he instilled core values in his children to be honest, strivers, hard-working, kind, respectful and resilient. Daddy, Poppa you will be missed and never forgotten.

A visitation for Hector will be held Sunday, March 6, 2022 from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM at Crawford Bowers FH, Killeen, TX. A graveside service with full military honors will occur Monday, March 7, 2022 at 1:00 PM at Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery, 11463 TX - 195, Killeen, Texas.

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