To all Joel’s family, we are deeply sorry for your loss. Bob and I are so grateful and blessed to know ‘Uncle Joey’. In the times we were privileged to spend with Joel we have memories to last a lifetime. From the moment we met Joel at Timmy and Samantha’s wedding, to the day we spent with him in San Antonio as he took us to many of his favorite places it was clear he is ‘One of a Kind’! The conversations and camaraderie shared with Joel will be forever in our hearts. We are so grateful to have known your amazing father, brother, uncle, grandfather, cousin. May God Bless your entire family and may the beautiful memories of Joel bring you comfort in this difficult time.
With sympathy and love,
Bob and Teresa Chiavacci

The celebration of life for Mr.Joel was so beautiful.  I will remember him quiet but observant, warm and welcoming, with an easy smile.  Rest now, Mr. Joel.  Walk with God.  We will see you again.

 "E Lo E Lo".  When I heard this,  it would bring joy to my heart because I knew I was talking to my cousin Joel.   Joel was one of ten 1st  cousins.   We were taught great morals and to have respect for others by our parents.  And it showed through Joel so much.  He was the support for the whole family though our tough times and always the jokester of the family at gatherings.  He always had a punchline!
Joel was my cousin first, but also my father, brother, mentor, spiritual advisor but mostly my friend.  We became closer when I moved back to San Antonio from California.  
Here are some fond memories... These past years we would meet at different restaurants for  breakfast and had many lengthy conversations.    We knew it was time to leave the restaurant when the waitress would hand us the lunch menu!  
In the 80's, we drove from San Antonio to California.   In one car was Joel and Victor and in the other car  was Marcus and I.  While driving through Texas, I saw a State Trooper and he pulled me over for driving 10 miles over the speed limit.  Funny thing was the Trooper said to me that he clocked the car in front of me who was driving 25 miles over the speed limit.  (That was Joel.)  So after I paid the ticket and caught up to Joel, he said "I saw the trooper stop you."   I told him what the trooper said and he said, "well, that's why I was going fast.  So the trooper wouldn't catch me."
Another time , I had mentioned to Joel that I was going to drive down to San Antonio.  He kept asking me if I was driving by myself.  I said yes.  Next thing I know, the day I was diving out, I got a call from Joel.  He was calling me from the bus station to come pick him up.  He came in to California just to drive back to San Antonio with me so I wouldn't drive alone.  That's just the kind of guy he was!  
I am going to miss my cousin, my friend.  I know the Lord will have him watching over us all.
I love you man!!!
~Bill 

Trisha, Terry, (and family), thank you for sharing your father with us.  I'm glad God allowed our paths to cross; and it was a blessing to meet him.   He's not here physically; but spiritually, he lives on forever.  We'll not forget him.

He was a very generous man who rewired my family's first house for free. He spent many long nights with me running new wires in that cramped attic. When I tried to pay him, he would refuse. 

He also celebrated my birthday at the church's parking lot last year. He planned everything out. He provided cake, drinks, and tacos to everyone who went to church with us. 

I remember he would always say, "God willing," when referring to his plans. Well, God willing, I pray I may learn to be as generous as he was.

He will be missed.

For my father in law: You are one of the very few special people left in this world. A rare find and a treasure more valuable than gold. You treated everyone like a long lost friend. Yours is a conversation I'd hoped would never end. You instructed with precision & patience I'd never seen before; your head was filled with wisdom and knowledge galore. But it was your heart, which I could see, was the most precious find. You loved unconditionally! Yes! You were one of a kind! I'm blessed to have known you, for I've become a better man. But you had to go to an appointment with "The Great I Am"! I will never forget you and I will always try to be, an example of love you've shown that has become a part of me. I just wish we would have known that this was your last dance. But we know we'll see you again. Yes we all have that chance. We'll all get to see you in that great "City of Gold", for you were one of the few special people who were left in this world!

Dad meant a lot of things to so many different people.  To me, he was loving, funny, generous, supportive, joyful, and kind hearted. Dad loved to reminisce and as he put it, "loved to make a long story longer."  I remember he once told me, "Mija, it doesn't really matter WHAT job you end up with in life... as long as you do YOUR best."  At the time, it didn't really seem significant; however, I now see that his words shaped me from being a Daycare teacher to a KinderCare Center Director...from a Legal secretary to a Restaurant Owner...from a teacher with a Bachelor's degree to a Reading Specialist with a Master's degree.  

Most importantly, I've come to realize that "being your best" IS significant and is best shared through gestures of being loving, funny, generous, supportive, joyful, and kind hearted.  

I wasn't ready to say goodbye.  I thought we had more time.  I miss him so very, very much, but I have faith that I will see him again.

I knew Joel back in the 80’s while working for SWBT. Joel was always very nice and cordial, funny and lighthearted. Great co worker. May he Rest In Peace and May the Perpetual Light shine upon him. 

Joel was a life long friend.we worked together at AT&T.the last 5 years we saw each other at least 3 to 4 times a month.he did a few electrical projects with me.i either bought tacos or he would bring tamales for breakfast.he was a joker all the time. always smiling and laughing.i truly will miss his companionship.may he rest in peace.

OBITUARY

Joel Anthony Rodriguez

March 15, 1945 – August 24, 2020

Sunset Northwest Funeral Home

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