Julio Eduardo Rodriguez

Julio Eduardo Rodriguez was born on July 31, 1976, in Pasadena, California, to Julio Ernesto and Suzanne Carter Rodriguez. He passed away on January 29, 2024, age 47, in Heber City, Utah, after a 14-month battle with cancer.
Julio had a passion for greatness and excelled at everything he did. Growing up in Provo Canyon, Utah, he always loved the outdoors and spent a lot of time mountain biking and skiing. His father, Julio Sr., instilled in him a love for soccer and running. Julio played soccer and ran cross country at Wasatch High School. From a young age, Julio was musically talented. He loved playing the piano fast and loud! He also played the saxophone in his high school band and competed in many jazz band festivals. He always did well in school and was the Senior Class President for the Wasatch High School graduating class of 1994. He received an appointment to the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs and completed his Bachelor's degree in Environmental Engineering, graduating in May 2000. He took a 2-year leave (1996-1998) from the Academy to serve as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in the Wellington, New Zealand mission.
On June 9, 2000, Julio was sealed in the Salt Lake City Temple to the love of his life, the farmer's daughter, Emily Carole Holmes. Julio, Emily, and their children have lived in Polcenigo, Italy; Del Rio, Texas; Valdosta, Georgia; Dayton, Ohio; Pleasant View, Utah; Monterey, California; Leavenworth, Kansas; Phoenix, Arizona; Gunsan, South Korea; and North Pole, Alaska throughout his Air Force career. Julio was also deployed to Iraq (twice), Guam, Australia, Hawaii, and other locations to serve his country. Julio loved his fighter pilot brothers and the people he met and served in the military.
Julio was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and served in various church callings throughout his life. He especially loved working with the youth and was an inspiration to all those he met. Julio's greatest accomplishment in life was being a loving husband and father. He had great examples of this from his youth, with his fun-loving father and angelic mother, who loved their kids and each other very much. Julio loved spending time with Emily, whether it be traveling, hiking, running, or accompanying her as she sang.
Lt Colonel Rodriguez retired from the Air Force in 2020 after a successful 20-year career as an F-16 pilot. During his career he also received two Master's degrees, learned Korean, and completed many certifications, upgrades, and promotions. After retirement he and his family moved back home to Heber where he bought a dairy farm and started a career as a commercial pilot with Delta Airlines. He always loved a new challenge. Learning to fly big airplanes, running a small business, driving big tractors and trailers, interacting with the Cedar View Dairy family, and chasing cows made him happy!
He is survived by his wife Emily and four children, Elena Maria, Evelyn Carole, Nicolas Julio, and Elyse Suzanne. He is also survived by his father, Julio Ernesto Rodriguez, and his three siblings, Antonio Rodriguez, Sara Edwards, and Ana Yakovleff, and his father-in-law, George P. Holmes.
He is preceded in death by his mother, Suzanne Carter Rodriguez, his grandparents, Ned Charles and Melba Edwards Carter, and Victor Salvador and Maria Teresa Rodriguez. He was also preceded in death by his mother-in-law, Patsy Hilton Holmes.
A Celebration of Life will be held in Julio's honor on Friday, February 9, 2024, from 6 to 8 p.m., and the Funeral Service will be Saturday, February 10, 2024, at 11:18 a.m. Both events will be held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Chapel at 6250 E 1200 S, Heber City, Utah, 84032. All are invited to both events. The Celebration of Life will be more casual with people meeting to chat, reconnect, and tell stories. The Funeral will be of a more spiritual nature.
Interment will be at the Heber City Cemetery, 680 N 550 E, following the Funeral Service.
To stream the services, please visit: https://webcast.funeralvue.com/events/viewer/97386/hash:B497A2EBDE276405