Rodolfo T. Gonzales Sr.

Rodolfo Treviño Gonzales, Sr., age 84, went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, March 26, 2024, in La Coste, Texas. Rodolfo "Rudy Tee" Treviño Gonzales, Sr. is preceded in death by his parents Manuel and Rita, his siblings: Pauline, Antonia, Rita, and Manuel "Red"; his son, Daniel; his nephew, Chuck; and grandson, Joshua "J.B.". He is survived by his wife of almost 30 years, Rosalinda "Linda" Villarreal Gonzales; his children: Rodolfo "Rudy Jr." and his wife, Evangeline "Vangie"; Ronald "Ronny Tee"; Stephen; Rebecca Gidish and her husband, Michael; Rene and his wife, Chris; Rita Ann Guzman and her husband, Ruben; Yvette Hicks and her husband, Ron; his grandchildren: Alizandra, Justis, Giana, Tristan, Ronin, Devin, Christian, Abrielle, Ian, Sabrina and her husband, Steven; Sarae and her fiancé, Victor; his great grandchildren: Briseis, Beckham, and Eretria and numerous nieces and nephews.
Rudy was born on July 4, 1939, in San Antonio, Texas to Manuel Elizondo and Rita Treviño Gonzales. He was raised on the Westside on Alta Vista until the age of seven when his family moved to Hazel Street. Rudy attended San Francisco Ruiz and later attended Johnson Elementary. He then went to Harris Jr. High. Rudy attended Lanier High School where he graduated in 1958.
In the third grade Rudy discovered the thrill of being in front of an audience in a school play. From that point on he knew he was going to be a performer.
By 1945, Rudy began playing guitar and furthering his love of music. He sang to his mother and family. In 1952, he and his brother, Red, formed their first band, "Red y Su Conjunto". In 1953, Rudy and Red added members to their band and renamed it "Conjunto Los Panchitos." It was in 1955, that Rudy and Red formed a larger band that performed songs influenced by the Rhythm and Blues music of the time. At their first appearance at Lanier High School, they were to perform under the name "Rennel Bops Combo." Rudy gave the name to his friend Hector Hernandez to make a banner for the band in metal shop. The band name was printed as "the Reno-Bops," and the band members decided to keep it.
In 1957, The Reno Bops first recording entitled "Cry, Cry, Cry" was released on a "78" RPM record on Jaime Wolf's Rio Label. It was around 1958-1959, at the suggestion of local Record Producer, Emil J. Henke, that Rudy created his stage name shortening his middle name and mother's maiden name from Treviño to "Tee". Thus, the "Rudy Tee and The Reno Bops" legacy was born.
During the early days of the band in the late 1950s, Rudy Tee and his brother, Red, served in the Marine Corps Reserves. Rudy Tee was proud of his service to our country. He had his own TV show, The Rudy Tee Show, on local television for a brief period during the 1970s. On November 11, 1975, Rudy quit drinking, and he credited becoming sober as a pivotal point in his life.
Over the years, Rudy Tee and his Reno Bops went on to record several hit songs both in English and Spanish, spanning musical genres from: Conjunto, Rock and Roll, Rhythm and Blues, Tejano, and even Country. Rudy Tee traveled and performed, both solo and with his band, all over the USA and as far away as Alaska. Rudy Tee and the Reno Bops are remembered for such hits as "All I Could Do Was Cry," "Un Ratito," "Together Again," "La Palma," and many more. Rudy Tee was also known for producing the hit, "96 Tears" by Question Mark and the Mysterians. Rudy Tee was loved by audiences not only for his singing, but also for his accompanying dance moves, his showmanship, and his sense of humor. In 2004, Rudy Tee was inducted into the Tejano Roots Hall of Fame. Rudy Tee was recognized by the Governor of Texas for over 70 years in the music industry, and he is credited with being a pioneer of Chicano Soul or the West Side Sound in the Texas music scene.
In addition to his life as a musician, Rudy was a husband and father who worked hard to provide for his family while taking pride in his work as a Depart of Defense employee for decades at both Kelly Field and Randolph Air Force Bases.
In his retirement, Rudy Tee enjoyed working at H-E-B, all the while continuing to sing and perform at shows. He gave his life to the Lord in his 50s and began creating and recording Christian songs. Rudy Tee loved the Lord, his family, and singing. Rudy Tee was known for lighting up the room. He always sought the good in everyone and loved to spread joy and laughter with jokes. No one was a stranger to him. He experienced medical hardships late in life but never let that deter his faith or spirit. He carried immense gratitude for each day of his life. Rudy Tee volunteered his time and voice to numerous ACTS Retreats helping others find Jesus by singing the "Thomas Song." Rudy Tee found peace, joy, and comfort in demonstrating his love for the Lord up until the weekend before he left the earth.
" And I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever." Psalm 23:6
A visitation for Rodolfo will be held Wednesday, April 3, 2024 from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM at Sunset Northwest Funeral Home, 6321 Bandera Road, San Antonio, TX 78238. A rosary will be recited on Wednesday, April 3, 2024 at 7:00 PM, 6321 Bandera Road, San Antonio, TX 78238. A funeral mass will be celebrated Thursday, April 4, 2024 from 10:00 AM at St. Luke Catholic Church, 4603 Manitou Dr, San Antonio, TX 78228.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in honor of Rudy Tee Gonzales may be made to ACTS Missions directly using this link or at www.actsmissions.org.