Theodore Charles Rodrigue, age 83, received his complete healing when he went home to the Lord on Thursday September 19, 2013.
Ted Rodrigue, a long time resident of Tallahassee, was a native of Lynn Massachusetts. He was born on January 30, 1930 to Louis J. and Marie (Bourque) Rodrigue as the oldest of three sons. After graduating from Lynn Classical High School and serving in the Air Force, he became a student of Florida State University in 1954. Ted played quarterback for the Florida State Seminoles, where he was dubbed “the Man with the Golden Arm”, and was a member of the notable 1954 Sun Bowl Team. There he met fellow student and Tallahassee native Sara Atkinson and they married in 1957. Together they raised three sons and owned several businesses in Tallahassee, St. George Island and the Ft. Walton Beach area. During their 55 years of marriage, the couple shared a love for travel by any means; exploring much of the U.S. by motor home, and making trips to Asia and Europe. Ted greatly valued their roles as parents and grandparents, and with his humor and inclusive manner made friends of all ages feel like family in their home.
Ted enjoyed a life-long passion for athletics, both as a player and a coach. He coached many youth sports, and held a head coaching position with Escambia High School. His enthusiasm ranged from competitive boxing, representing the Air Force as the Far East Heavyweight Champion while stationed in the Pacific, to instructing golf at Tallahassee’s Oak Valley Golf Club, which he owned with Sara through the 1960’s. For many years he had been an active part of the tennis communities in Tallahassee and in Highlands, North Carolina where he resided during the summer.
Ted also appreciated music throughout his life, singing jazz and playing drums. He enjoyed the opportunity to play with the music ministries of his church fellowship at Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Tallahassee and Our Lady of the Mountain in Highlands. Ted Rodrigue is survived by his devoted wife Sara; son Mark, his wife Cindy, and grandchildren Will (Tallahassee), and Elizabeth (Jacksonville, FL); son Michael, his wife Lindsey, grandchildren Matthew, Kelli, Anna, Emma Kate(Tallahassee) and Clint and his wife Kelly (Jacksonville); and son Craig, his wife Laura and grandchildren Zackary, Cody and Tyler (of Orlando). Also survived by his brother Louis, and his wife Carol, (Lynn Massachusetts); nephew John (of Yuma Arizona), sister in law Charlene Rodrigue (Deltona) and predeceased by his brother Michael Philip Rodrigue of Tallahassee and nephew William Rodrigue (Lynn, Massachusetts).
Funeral Services will be held at Good Shepherd Catholic Church, 4665 Thomasville Road, Tallahassee at 11:30 am on Tuesday September 24th. The family welcomes visitors to a reception at the church immediately following the service. Internment is planned at Oakland Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Good Shepherd Building Fund (4665 Thomasville Road, Tallahassee, FL 32308) or Big Bend Hospice (1723 Mahan Center Blvd Tallahassee, FL 32308). Culley’s MeadowWood Funeral Home 1737 Riggins Road is assisting the family with their arrangements.
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