ZAPATA, TEXAS---Zaragoza Rodriguez, IV, 38, passed away on Thursday, February 16, 2017, at Metropolitan Methodist Hospital in San Antonio, TX.

Zar is preceded in death by his mother, Alicia F. Rodriguez; maternal grandparents, Jesus and Lilia Franco; uncle, Alfredo Franco; and paternal grandparents, Zaragoza Jr. and Victoria Rodriguez.

Zar was born on October 4, 1978, in Jourdanton, TX to Zaragoza III and Alicia F. Rodriguez. He spent his early childhood years in Carrizo Springs, TX and Crystal City, TX before moving to Zapata in December 1986. He started 2nd grade at Zapata South Elementary. He graduated from Zapata High School in 1997. Throughout his elementary and high school years, Zar was very active in UIL, sports, 4-H horse shows and FFA. He raised goats, lambs, hogs and steers. He was very active in the ranching business with his father and grandfather. Zar graduated from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi in 2002 with a degree in Psychology. Upon graduation he was employed by Border Region MHMR. He worked there for 6 years as a counselor. In 2008, he started working for Zapata County as a Code Enforcement Director and finally in August 2015, he was employed by Texas A&M Agrilife Extension as Zapata County Agent for Ag/4H. Zar was very fond of his position of county agent because he loved helping 4H kids with their Zapata County Fair projects. In February 2016, Zar and his wife, Tammy, were selected Zapata County Fair Association Parade Marshals. His involvement in ranching and 4-H and FFA truly helped him get his dream job.

Zar is survived by his childhood sweetheart/wife, Tammy Arambula Rodriguez. They were married on May 17, 2003. He was a loving husband, father, and son. He was very active in his kids' extra-curricular activities. He is survived by his three wonderful children, Daniel Arturo, Nadina Isabella and Roxana Andrea Rodriguez; his father, Zaragoza Rodriguez, III; brothers, Jesus Franco and Luis Alberto Rodriguez; in-laws, Andres and Mine Arambula; sister in-law, Veronica (Ruben) Cavazos, brother in-law, Andy Arambula, Jr; nephews, Ruben Rene and Jesus Daniel Cavazos; nieces, Alynna Lizette and Anissa Isabel Arambula, and by numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, family and friends.

Pallbearers were Jesus Franco Rodriguez, Luis Alberto Rodriguez, Andy Arambula, Jr., Ruben Rene Cavazos, III, Jesus Daniel Cavazos, Raul Munoz, Edgardo Alfredo Saenz, and Fernando Rodriguez.


Visitation hours were held on Monday, February 20, 2017, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. with a vigil at 7 p.m. at Rose Garden Funeral Home.


The funeral procession departed on Tuesday, February 21, 2017, 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.


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