Rodolfo T. "(Rudy)" Elizondo

1947 - 2018

Mercedes Texas - Rodolfo (Rudy) T. Elizondo joined the Lord on Sunday, December 30, 2018 at the age of 71 years. He was with the love of his life and wife of 48 years, Elida, his beloved children Denise (Eric) of Oregon, Amy, and Chris (Gloria) of Maryland. He was the proud and loving grandfather to Lorenzo, Sebastian and Ciel Antonini.

Rudy was born on June 13, 1947 in Mercedes, Texas to Conrado and Hipolita Elizondo. He was the second son of eight children that included three brothers (Rene, Roberto and Roy) and four sisters (Maria, Diana, Dahlia and Susan). Rudy graduated from Mercedes High School in 1965 and then enlisted in the United States Army in 1967. He courageously served in Vietnam from 1969 to 1970 after which he received the Army Commendation Medal and the Bronze Star for meritorious achievement. He was honorably discharged as Specialist Five in 1973.

Rudy returned to Texas and earned his Bachelor of Science in 1974 from Pan American University. He went on to complete his Master of Science in 1987 from Texas A&I University. Rudy taught for 35 years in the Mercedes Independent School District and served for 27 years as the supervisor of the General Education Development (GED) program. Over the course of his career he impacted the lives of thousands of students.

He was a lifelong member of Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church where he taught confirmation classes. He served the city of Mercedes as President of the Economic Development Corporation and was a member of the American Legion Post 172.

We remember him as a deeply loving and supportive husband, father and grandfather, a hero in service to his country, and an adventurer who enjoyed travel, history, the fine arts, and gardening. He was a champion of education with a zest for life and conviviality.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, January 6, 2019 at the Rudy Garza Funeral Home (236 S. Ohio Ave., Mercedes, Texas 78570) from 1:00 pm to 9:00 pm, with the rosary at 7:00 pm and eulogy thereafter. Funeral services will be held on Monday, January 7, 2019 with a mass at 10:00 AM at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church (322 S. Vermont Ave., Mercedes, Texas 78570, followed by interment at the Mercedes Rest Lawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (http://bit.ly/MMRFteambigdog) or the Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church Building Fund (https://www.osvonlinegiving.com/1858). Funeral services are under the direction and care of Rudy Garza Funeral Home of Mercedes Texas. Funeral services are under the direction and care of Rudy Garza Funeral Home of Mercedes, Texas.