Ernesto V. Rodriguez

Throughout his life, Ernesto displayed a strong work ethic. As a young boy growing up in San Antonio, he and his older brother would often venture out into downtown to shine shoes, not out of financial necessity, but because he deeply valued hard work. As he grew older, he would help his widowed mother with the molino and restaurant she owned. He would often recut the grooves on the mill stone to keep it working properly.

A man of many talents, Ernesto thrived when it came to hand mixing paint for construction projects. He was a master of color and could match any color under the sun. What computerized machines do now to mix paints, he did by hand with perfection. There was nothing he could not build or repair. On one occasion he purchased a harp in Mexico City and brought it home on a plane. Upon returning home, Ernesto saw it as a personal challenge to construct one himself, using the purchased harp as a model. He accomplished this task effortlessly. He was also recognized for his ability to completely dismantle and rebuild car engines effortlessly. He once undertook this task while on vacation, ingeniously using only 2 by 4 lumber to remove it from the chassis. He was an educator for his children, teaching them how to fix plumbing, drywall, and automotive problems.

As a contractor, he helped to support his young family. He met the love of his life while working near Trinity University and never looked back. A truer love could not be possible. Angelica Muzquiz would become the foundation for his growing family. The first of his children, Ernesto Jr., would unfortunately die while young due to complications from polio. He saw this tragedy as a test to become a better person seeking to find a better way of life for his family. While not formally educated, he made sure that his children, and others, not only graduated from high school, but college as well.

Family meant everything to Ernesto and he proudly demonstrated this every chance he could. He had a saying he would often say when unexpected family and friends came to visit, “Al cerrar la puerta, todo piso es cama.” (Once the door is closed, all the floor is a bed). He never turned family away and always made it a point to be available to help them. Many a time he would take Angelica and the family to Mexico to visit her family and would make it a point to take supplies to the family in case they needed it. He was a generous and caring man that taught not only his children, but anyone who knew him, the importance of caring for one another.

When his mother passed, he took on the role of patriarch for the family, a role he did not take lightly. He knew that if friends or family were in need, he would answer the call. Ernesto had the ability to make all strangers his friends and did so through his gift of charismatic storytelling and incredible sense of humor. He could always captivate audiences’ attention with his stories and jokes. Even in his last moments, his sense of humor remained highly evident.

Many people did not know that he was a trained dancer, taking classes at Arthur Murray School of Dance in his youth. His wife and he were incredible dancers. His love of music was unsurpassed, for he could often be seen at many of the parties he hosted at his house, playing boleros on his record player for his guests. He was always the life of the party.

He was a devout Catholic who prayed daily, even near his death. He always wore his crucifix and ensured to complete his sacraments including being married in a Catholic Church in Mexico City, surrounded by his family. Whenever he visited Mexico, he made it a point to visit churches, whether it was San Juan de los Lagos, Jalisco, the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City, or others. In his later years, he made sure to watch Mass online each Sunday morning.

Ernesto Valle Rodriguez entered into eternal rest on July 1, 2024. He was the rock that held the family together and will be greatly missed. He is preceded in death by his parents, Timoteo and Luisa Rodriguez, his siblings, Emilia R. Brooks, Esther Arce, Elvira Segovia, Enrique Rodriguez, and his first born son, Ernesto Rodriguez Jr. He is survived by the love of his life, Angelica Muzquiz Rodriguez, his children: Eiginio Rodriguez, Eddie Rodriguez, Ernesto Rodriguez III, and Angelica Rodriguez, along with many nieces and nephews.

He was a firm believer in the University Health System and University Hospital. Through experience, he knew they had the best. The family would like to extend its heartfelt thanks to the doctors, nurses, technicians, and all the staff at University Hospital, and the entire University Health System, for their unyielding and professional support bestowed to Ernesto and the family. They are eternally grateful.

A visitation for Ernesto Valle Rodriguez will be held Wednesday, July 10, 2024, from 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM at Funeraria Del Angel Trevino Funeral Home, 226 Cupples Road, San Antonio, TX 78237. A Mass of the Resurrection will occur Thursday, July 11, 2024, at 10:30 AM at St. Jude Catholic Church, 130 S. San Augustine Ave, San Antonio, TX 78237. An interment will occur Thursday, July 11, 2024, at San Fernando Cemetery II, 746 Castroville Rd, San Antonio, TX 78237.