Harold L. Rodriguez Sr.

Harold L. Rodriguez Sr., 92, passed away Wednesday, May 8, 2013, at the Marquis care home in Redding Calif. He was born in San Luis Obispo to Spanish father, Edward Rodriguez and German mother, Clydie Leitner.  Having grown up in a farming/ranching family, he tended his father's cattle on horseback and worked in the hay fields. In school, he was a member of the Future Farmers of America and started his own herd of dairy cows while still in junior college. In 1943, Harold married Shirley Ruda, of See Canyon, at the Old Mission in San Luis Obispo. They moved to the San Joaquin Valley to farm and raise their children. Later they parted. Eventually, Harold settled in the Fall River Mills Valley near Redding, where he worked for himself in construction. He loved the great outdoors and traveled often to Alaska, where he ventured down the Yukon and Chandalar Rivers. He never tired of viewing the glorious aurora borealis. Throughout his life he wrote poetry. Playing his guitar and singing the old cowboy songs was a favorite pastime.  He was a volunteer at the Montgomery Creek Playhouse, where he performed on stage or worked behind the scenes. Harold and long-time friend, Laura Recagno, shared a love of dancing and attended the senior dances every Thursday. They remained dear friends until his passing. Harold is survived by his children Sharolyn "Redwing" Klawin and husband, Eduard of Sonora, Calif.; Harold Jr. "Cisco" Rodriguez and wife, Vikki of Shasta Lake City, Calif.; Donald "Donny" and wife, Ramona of Fall River Mills, Calif.; Rebecca "Becky" McNair of Klamath Falls, Ore.; Randall "Randy" Rodriguez and wife, Kathi of Redding; 13 grandchildren; 37 great-grandchildren; and a great-great grandchild. A celebration of life will be held from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, June 9, 2013, at the home of Randy and Kathi Rodriguez in Redding. Contact Sharolyn "Redwing" at (209) 533-9210 or Kathi at (530) 941-4683.