Joe Rodriguez

Obituary

Obituary

Joe A. Rodriguez was born in Shafter, CA on March 19, 1922 to Juan and Margarita Rodriguez. He was one of eleven children. His father started the Mexican Colony. He attended Richland Junior High and then went on to Shafter High until the tenth grade. He had to work in the fields to help support his family. He played baseball in his teens; he played for the Eagles Team, which was formed, from many friends and family. He enjoyed playing ball. At the age of twenty, he enlisted in the Air Force stationed in Mojave. Then later joined the US Army in the 1940’s. He went overseas and fought in WWII under the direction of General Patton. He returned home in June of 1946. He married Sabina Rosales in December 17, 1950. They had five children. Joe worked as a form laborer, then a farm labor contractor for over twenty-five years. Retiring in the 1980’s, he was also known as the Raisin King in the Shafter Area. He loved watching his favorite team, The New York Yankees; he was an avid fan. He loved going to the casino and playing poker with his grandchildren. He would plant his garden sharing his fruits and vegetables with family and friends. He was a proud member of the St. Therese’s Men’s Club and a lifetime member of the Wasco Elks Lodge. He was well known and made many friends in his lifetime, young and old. He passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family on July 30, 2015. He will be missed dearly but he left us with many special memories.
He is survived by his children Carlos (Lorraine) Rodriguez, Frank (Beatrice) Rodriguez and Annie Rodriguez all of Shafter and Phyllis (Mike) Lopez of Bakersfield; 8 grandchildren;13 great-grandchildren; three brothers Steve, Henry and Gabino Rodriguez and their spouses; many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife Sabina; son Joe Rodriguez Jr; 2 great-grandchildren Joshua & Christopher.
We would like to thank the Guardian Home Care nurses, Sills Properties for being there for Carlos, ARARAT Hospice Inc., Doctor Iain Gallego, Doctor Shakir, and CBCC, for all their loving care and support.
The Mass of the Resurrection was officiated by Father David Enriquez at St. Therese’s Catholic Church on Thursday August 6, 2015 at 10am. A visitation was held on Wednesday August 5, 2015 from 2-5pm at Peters Funeral Home Chapel with the recitation of the Holy Rosary at St. Therese’s Church at 6pm.