Eloy Rodriguez

1938 - 2015

Eloy Rodriguez
HARLINGEN, TX. -
Eloy Rodriguez was born July 28, 1938, in Raymondville, Texas, and went to be with the Lord on Friday, May 15, 2015.
He is preceded in death by his father, Jose Maria Rodriguez, and his mother, Guadalupe Correa Rodriguez.
His is survived by his wife, Blanche Garcia Rodriguez; his daughter, Erica Rodriguez Maier, son-in-law, Scott Anthony Maier; daughter-in-law, Melanie Zentgraf; brothers, Ernesto Rodriguez, Enrique (Sarah) Rodriguez; sisters, Elva (Noe) Gonzales, Emilia (Scott) Williamson; nephews, Javier (Lupita) Gonzales, Ernesto (Amy) Rodriguez Jr., Noe (Aida) Gonzales Jr., Michael Scott Williamson, Sergio Rodriguez; niece, Criselda (Sam) Gonzales; and nephew, Daniel (Cindy) Lopez III and niece, Denise Candida (Emmitt) Lopez Hoeft by marriage; and numerous grandnephews and grandnieces.
Eloy was definitely a force to be reckoned with. He accomplished so much during his 76 years, personally and professionally.
He retired from banking after 35 years of service. He was senior vice president at Harlingen National Bank for 25 years, senior vice president and advisory director at Town & Country National Bank for 5 years, and president of First National Bank of Edinburg - Harlingen Branch for 5-1/2 years.
In 1952, he was a Boy Scout/Life Scout of Raymondville Troop 48. In 1962, he was a Staff Sergeant with the U.S. Army and in 1974, a captain with the American Heart Association Business Campaign. In 1976, he was part of the Harlingen Chamber of Commerce Six Shooter Greeting Committee and in 1980 was appointed by Cameron County Judge Ray Ramon to the Cameron County Housing Board Authority. He was treasurer of the Harlingen Family Emergency Center in 1982 and in 1983 was part of the Harlingen Planning and Zoning Board under Mayor Sam Lozano. In 1988, he was vice chairman of the Texas Banker's Association Region II (South) and in 1991 a State Board of Texas District 12-B Grievance Committee Member. He was nominated by Governor William P. Clements and appointed by President Ronald Reagan to the Selective Service (local) Board in 1992. He was named Harlingen Kiwanis Distinguished Club President - Legion of Honor in 1994. Named the Minority Business Advocate of the Year in 1996, he received congressional recognition for community service by Congressman Solomon Ortiz in 2003. In 2004, he served as chairman of the Harlingen Airport Board and in 2008 was part of the Cameron County Appraisal Review Board.
A longtime runner, Eloy completed numerous half marathons and 10k races, as well as the Chicago Marathon in 1995 and, most recently, the Mayor's Marathon in Anchorage, Alaska, in 2010.
He enjoyed comedy movies, sudoku puzzles, using his dictionary app, joke books, jazz music, walking in the mall, having coffee with friends at McDonald's, and going on family vacations to places like Las Vegas, New Orleans, Memphis, Denver and New York City, to name a few. He liked chocolate-dipped cones from Dairy Queen, popcorn (and lots of it), and watching Judge Judy and re-runs of Everybody Loves Raymond.
He married Blanche Marie Garcia on December 8, 1963, and they had their only child, daughter Erica, in 1976, she being the love of his life and his utmost accomplishment.
Visitation will begin on Monday, May 18, 2015, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. with a prayer of the Holy Rosary at 7 p.m.
Funeral mass will be held on Tuesday, May 19, 2015, at 11 a.m. at St. Anthony Catholic Church. Interment will follow to Rio Grande Valley State Veterans Cemetery in Mission, Texas with Military Honors provided by Catholic War Veterans.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Trinity at Harrison Funeral Home 1002 E. Harrison Ave. Harlingen, TX 78550 (956)364-2444.