Otto "Rudy" Talamantez

Otto Rodolfo “Rudy” Talamantez, a remarkable man with an extraordinary love of life and passion for the people in his life, passed away on Friday, October 17, 2025 due to complications following a cardiac procedure. His friends and family will always remember his engaging persona and infectious smile, and how he gave selflessly to his family, friends, and the church community. He will be greatly missed.

Otto was born to Cruz and Nicolasa Talamantez on March 4, 1959, in San Antonio, Texas. He was a proud San Antonian and Texan, a huge University of Texas Longhorn football fan and an avid Spurs fan! He graduated from Wheatley High School and San Antonio College where he earned an Associate’s Degree in Engineering Technology and at St. Mary’s University where he studied Interpersonal Communications.

Otto had over 40 years of civil engineering background, successfully working for various firms in roles from Field Surveyor to Engineer, to Computer Aided Design subject matter expert and specialist creating construction plans, documents, and plats of diverse types including ATLAS, boundary, civil, structural, electrical, REVIT and other disciplines. Otto was currently under contract with Standard Aero where he made many new friends and colleagues with his “work family” who loved him and where he was significantly contributing to their high performing team.

Professionally known as Otto, most friends and family, affectionately called him Rudy—his middle name and nickname. Rudy was a family man and a man of God, always putting his family first, especially his wife Janie and of course his little princess Rebecca, he was dedicated to her every need, wish and whim. Rudy met the love of his life, and bride Janie Gonzalez at Chaps, a longtime San Antonio Country Western dance hall where he wooed her with his charisma and Texas-two-step and Cotton-Eye-Joe dancing skills. When Rudy “popped the question” Janie said “yes” but, explained to Rudy he must come with his parents, Cruz and Nicolasa Talamantez to her house and ask her father and mother for her hand in marriage--then and only then could they proceed. Rudy, reminded Janie, they were “of age” and didn’t “need permission”. Nonetheless, Rudy complied, Janie’s parents gave permission, and the rest is history. The couple began a love story that lasted a lifetime. Initially they lived and worked in Austin but returned home to San Antonio to be with their extended families and friends. Both Rudy and Janie have large close-knit families where they devoted most of their time caring for parents, siblings, nieces and nephews as godparents, friends, and even caregivers. Whenever, it was time to build a fence, fix a broken water pipe, or work on a car, Rudy was there and Janie and Rebecca were with him. Always eager to lend a helping hand, their kindness and positive spirit uplifted everyone around them. Rudy and Janie created and sustained a marriage and life of loving and giving for over 39 years.

Rudy was devoted to Our Lady of Sorrows (OLS) Catholic Church and all the people of OLS. He was the OLS Parish Council President and spent countless hours helping others, planning and executing years of special Masses and Services, fall festivals, taco sales, chili cookoffs, church repairs and projects. Rudy and Janie have been active members of OLS, heading up the Parish Council, Altar Society and the Festival Committee…as a couple they have been part of the heart and soul of Our Lady of Sorrows parish for over 18 years. Rudy and Janie’s leadership at OLS improving the parish and the spiritual and social wellbeing of OLSs’ diverse Spanish, Polish, and Deaf Communities, was recognized by Pastor Fr Jose Perez and Archbishop Gustavo Garcia-Siller. Rudy and Janie were presented the Lumen Gentium and Christifideles Laici Award for 2025 – Sharing Christ’s Light – honoring Catholic laity who have demonstrated excellence as part of the Church’s mission to bring the Lord’s light to all.

Besides Longhorn football and the Spurs, Rudy loved music and loved to barbeque. He was the volunteer Chief, Chef and Grill Master at all family and church events. Rudy loved all genres of music and was a charismatic and talented Disc Jockey (DJ) most of his adult life, entertaining friends and family as DJ “Maverick”. His mission was to bring joy to everyone at birthdays, weddings, baptisms, quinceñeras, festivals, and community events, spreading happiness through his music and presence. Rudy’s litmus test for success was if he could “make people dance” and “sing along”, he knew he was playing the right songs and setting the tone to bring joy to the celebration. Most events were done without pay as Rudy DJ’ed to bring happiness to friends and family and because he loved people.

Otto is preceded in death by his parents, Cruz Ramirez Talamantez and Nicolasa Torres Talamantez and brother Guadalupe “Lupe” and sister Eloiza and sister-in-law Yolanda (Fred’s wife). Otto is survived by his wife Janie and daughter Rebecca, brothers, Cruz “Ray” (Juanita), Alfredo “Fred”, Luis (Feliz), and sisters Beatrice (Pablo), and Ophelia, and sister-in-law Vicky (Lupe’s wife) as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Our love and prayers go out to Janie and Rebecca, and all the Talamantez family. Our hearts break for them and we will forever remember the beautiful person that Rudy was and the wonderful times we all had with him. May the peace of the Lord rest upon his soul, and may his spirit shine forever in heaven.

A visitation & rosary for Otto will be held Monday, November 3, 2025 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Sunset Funeral Home, 1701 Austin Highway, San Antonio, TX 78218. A funeral mass will occur Tuesday, November 4, 2025 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church, 3107 N St Mary's St, San Antonio, TX 78212. A graveside will occur Tuesday, November 4, 2025 from 11:30 AM to 12:00 PM at Sunset Memorial Park, 1701 Austin Highway, San Antonio, TX 78218.