George Rodriguez

Our Lord has called his special angel, George Rodriguez, to join him in heaven Aug. 21, 2011, after a courageous three-year battle against pancreatic cancer. George Rodriguez was born to Jose M. and Rosella Jiminez Rodriguez Aug. 17, 1955, in Billings and was the youngest of eight children. George attended Garfield Elementary, Riverside Junior and Senior High School. He was an altar boy at our Lady of Guadalupe Church and was active in softball, basketball and was recognized as a star football player at Senior High.

As a teenager, George met the love of his life, Vicky (Victoria) Hunt. George and Vicky were married at Our Lady of Guadalupe on March 27, 1976. They were blessed with the arrival of their three sons; Gabriel (who passed away at infancy), Brent and Carlos.

George started his career at Conoco Refinery in the Fall of 1973 right after graduating from high school where he worked for almost 38 years. He advanced to Operations Supervisor and gained the respect of his co-workers and made life long friends who supported him in many ways before and during his illness.

George enjoyed sports, boating, skiing, racquetball, hunting and competitive card games. Cribbage was his favorite game and he and Vicky traveled to tournaments throughout the US and Canada and he achieved the master level, which he was very proud of.

His children, Brent and Carlos, call their father their hero. He raised them with his strong work ethic and was very proud of their successes and in awe of what great fathers they have become. George's love for his children and grandchildren cannot be expressed in words. Everyone who knew George loved and admired him and considered him to be a great mentor and friend.

Preceding George in death was his infant son, Gabriel, sister Rosemary Ludwig, brothers Donald and Frank Rodriguez, father Jose Rodriguez and in-laws Millie and Earl Hunt.

George is survived by his loving wife Vicky, son Brent and his children, Jose, Timothy and stepdaughter, Alisha Bernhard of Billings, son Carlos and his children, Mykal, Kori and Zoe of Missoula, mother Rosella, half-sister Yolanda Varela and brothers Jesse and Jerry of Billings and David (Sheila) of Columbus, Ohio; sisters-in-law Monica Hunt of Hamilton, and Linda Hunt of Spokane, Wash., numerous nieces and nephews and his

special nephew Shawn Ludwig and his wife Brenda, nieces Dana Hunt and Brittney Rodriguez of Billings.

Funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 27, at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, 523 S. 29th St.

Memorials may be made to BARK (Billings Animal Rescue Kare) or Our Lady of Guadalupe Church. Smith Funeral Chapel is assisting with arrangements.

George Rodriguez