ZAPATA, TX -- Francisco Javier Rodríguez, 91, was called to be with our Lord in His Kingdom on Saturday, September 1, 2018 at Laredo Medical Center in Laredo, Texas.

Francisco Javier was born in Laredo, Texas on Dec. 3, 1926, which is the birthday of Saint Francis Xavier, so his mother named him Francisco Javier and because her father's name was Francisco García Martínez. Francisco is the fifth of six children (4 boys & 2 girls) born to Zaragoza Rodríguez Sr. and his wife Rosa García Rodríguez.

Francisco grew up on a cattle ranch in south Zapata County, and learned to do all types of ranch work including cowboy work, cattle raising and maintenance. He was educated in Laredo, Texas public schools and graduated from Martin High School in 1945. In Feb 1945, he was drafted for military service and inducted into the U.S. Army Infantry. He took basic training in Camp Maxey in Paris, Tx until July 1945. On Aug 5, 1945, he reported to Fort Ord in California. On Aug 14, 1945, he boarded an Army Liberty Ship to sail for the Philippine Islands. From there he went to Sasebo Japan where he was assigned to the 25th Infantry Division (Tropical Lightning) and later assigned to the 4th Infantry Division (The Red Arrow Division). Francisco returned to USA on Oct. 12, 1946 and received an honorable discharge on Dec. 3, 1946 at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Tx.

Francisco worked on the family ranch from January 1947 to July 1952. After that, he attended the University of Texas where he earned a degree in Bachelor of Arts in August 13, 1957. His studies included English, Spanish, French, & Portuguese and even took a few classes at Texas A&I. Francisco started teaching English in La Joya High School and taught in Robstown & Laredo High Schools until May 1962. He started teaching at the Zapata High School in Sept. 1963 and had different assignments until 1969. Later, he worked as an evaluator and director of the Bilingual Program for grades K through 4th grade. He retired as a teacher in May 1995.

In March 1968, he married Raquel Villarreal and together they had four children, Victor J. (Cynthia G.) Rodríguez, Jessica V. (Michael) Richards, Roque A. (Edna E.) Rodríguez, and Francisco G. (Sandra A.) Rodríguez; eleven grandchildren, Victor Javier (Sneha) Rodríguez Jr., Vonique Rigel (Rony) Galdamez, Kassandra Monique Rodríguez (Luis Paredes), Francisco "Franky" Gerardo Rodríguez Jr., Vionette Raquel Rodríguez, Jerrick Nathaniel Richards, Landrue Caleb Richards, Roque Olegario Rodríguez, Makayla Lanae Richards, Javier Alberto Rodríguez, and Dante Nicolas Rodríguez; and three great grandchildren, Luis "Louie" Paredes, Trinity Ava Galdamez, & John Paul Galdamez.

For hobbies, as a child, Francisco collected Indian arrowheads and chunks of petrified wood found on the family ranch. Much later in life in 1976, he started writing poetry until about 2008 in both Spanish and English. His poems were written about holidays, historical events, about nature, specific professions like the cowboy and about many special occasions such as weddings, anniversaries, and birthdays. But 80% of all his poems are inspirational or of a religious nature. Francisco's ambition was to publish three or four books of his poems, some in Spanish, some in English and maybe even one Bilingual.

Mr. Rodríguez is preceded in death by his parents, Zaragoza Rodríguez Gutierrez and Rosa García-Treviño Rodríguez; his brothers, Victor M. Rodríguez, Roberto Rodríguez, Zaragoza Rodríguez, Jr. and his sisters Alicia Francisca Rodríguez, Emilia R. García; his mother-in-law, Maria del Refugio Villarreal; his brothers-in-law, Eduardo García, Rene L. Garza, Olegario Villarreal and Ruben Villarreal; sisters-in-law, Doris M. Rodríguez, Victoria N. Rodríguez,

He is survived by his loving wife of 50 years, Raquel V. Rodríguez, his children; grandchildren; great-grandchildren; numerous in-laws, cousins, nephews, nieces and friends.

Pallbearers: Victor J. Rodríguez, Roque A. Rodríguez, Francisco G. Rodríguez, Victor J. Rodríguez Jr., Francisco G. Rodríguez Jr., Jerrick N. Richards, Landrue C. Richards, & Roque O. Rodríguez. Honorable Pallbearers: Dante N. Rodríguez, Javier A. Rodríguez, Zaragoza Rodríguez III, & Robert Rodríguez Jr.

Visitation hours were held on Monday, September 3, 2018, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. with a vigil at 7 p.m. at Rose Garden Funeral Home.

The funeral procession departed on Tuesday, September 4, 2018, at 9:30 a.m. for a 10 a.m. funeral Mass at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church.

Committal services followed at Zapata County Cemetery, including full Military Honors by the American Legion Post 486 Color Guard.

Funeral arrangements were under the direction of Rose Garden Funeral Home Daniel A. Gonzalez, Funeral Director, 2102 N. US HWY 83 Zapata, Texas.