Rodolfo H. Villarreal

In Loving Memory of Rodolfo H. Villarreal 07/12/1937 - 10/17/2025
Rodolfo "Rudy" H. Villarreal, 88, of San Antonio, Texas, passed away peacefully at home on October 17, 2025, surrounded by his loving family.
Rudy was preceded in death by his father, Domingo H. Villarreal; his stepfather, Julian Aguilar; his mother, Julia Aguilar; his sister, Carmen Roman; and his brother, Julian Aguilar Jr.
He is survived by his devoted wife of 65 years, Rachel V. Villarreal, and their three beloved children: • Rodolfo Villarreal Jr. and his wife, Patricia. Rodolfo Jr. is the proud father of Adriana (Mike), Rodolfo III (Ashley), and Alejandro; Patricia is the loving mother of Justin and Stephanie (Christopher).
• Esmeralda Treviño and her husband, Fred. Esmeralda is cherished by her three children – Monica (Abraham), Elyse (Edgar), and Julia (John); Fred is the proud father of Cameron and Madison.
• Miriam Garcia and her husband, Juan, are blessed with three daughters – Sofia, Gabriela, and Cecilia.
Rudy took immense pride in his growing family, finding his greatest joy in his grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Clarissa, Anna, Mari, Mike III, Alana, Brianna, Abraham Jr. (AJ), Alex, Adrian, Freya, Ariana, Ava, and August Moon.
His legacy of love, strength, and devotion lives on through every one of them.
Born on July 12, 1937, in Paras, Nuevo León, Mexico, Rudy grew up in Mathis, Texas, and graduated from Mathis High School in 1956. Shortly after, he enlisted in the United States Army, beginning a distinguished 31-year career that culminated in his retirement as Sergeant Major.
Rudy served with honor and distinction in the 101st Airborne Division, 82nd Airborne Division, and the 5th, 7th, and 10th Special Forces Groups as a Special Forces Medic and HALO Team Sergeant. He completed two tours in Vietnam and a 13-month deployment in the Dominican Republic. Over his career, he completed more than 1,400 parachute jumps, including 800 High Altitude Low Opening (HALO) jumps, and earned multiple foreign jump wings.
Among his many accomplishments, Rudy helped set unofficial high-altitude and mass-exit jump records in Spain and Greece. His team, ODA-8, became the first HALO class to complete three jumps above 20,000 feet in a single day, and later achieved three record-setting jumps from 25,000, 26,000, and 27,000 feet-totaling over six minutes of freefall time.
In 1960, Rudy met the love of his life, Rachel Valero, in San Antonio, Texas. Together they built a strong, loving family anchored in faith, hard work, and service.
After retiring from the Army in 1987, Rudy pursued a career as a journeyman plumber and earned his bachelor's degree from Southwest Texas State University. A man of discipline and vitality, he exercised daily at the Medina Base track, enjoyed his sauna sessions, and never met a stranger. Rudy was a lifelong learner and creative spirit-an avid reader, a guitarist who loved playing at family gatherings, and a skilled macramé artist who applied the precision he once used as a parachute rigger.
In his later years, Rudy delighted in spending time at casinos with his wife, children, and brothers, earning the affectionate reputation of having "the Midas touch."
Rudy's life was defined by service, devotion, and love for his family. His strength of character and joyful spirit will continue to inspire all who knew him.
Vigil: St Francis of Assisi Catholic Church Date: November 3, 2025 Time: 6 p.m. Location: 4201 De Zavala Rd., San Antonio, TX 78249
Mass: St Francis of Assisi Catholic Church Date: November 4,2025 Time: 11:30 a.m. Location: 4201 De Zavala Rd., San Antonio, TX 78249
Committal service: Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery Date: November 4, 2025 Time: 1:45 pm (Arrive by 1:30 pm) Location: 1520 Harry Wurzbach Rd San Antonio, TX 78209
Celebration of life Reception: St Francis of Assisi Catholic Church-Heinke Hall Date: November 4, 2025 Time: 3 pm Location: 4201 De Zavala Rd., San Antonio, TX 78249
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to The Wounded Warrior Project at Wounded Warrior Project - Donate