Guillermo Cesar Rodriguez

January 31, 2021

Harlingen - Guillermo Cesar Rodriguez, known by family and friends as "Memo", passed away on January 31, 2021, at the age of 89. He is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 60 years, Rosa Carmen Rodriguez, whom he affectionately called Carmela; his five children Cesar (Velma), Hector (Tracy), Adrian, Edith, and Rene (Michele); and his six grandchildren Philip (Courtney), Rebecca (Tashi), Seve, Emma, Isabel, and Mateo. He also leaves behind two siblings, a brother, Rosendo (Olivia) and a sister, Minerva Gonzalez (Rodriguez), three nieces, Sandra (Freddy) Nieto, Lisa (Chris) Brinkley, Belinda (Mark) Dunn, a nephew David (Maggie), and countless grandnieces and grandnephews and cousins. He is preceded in death by his father, Rosendo, and his mother, Ofelia. Memo, a native of the Rio Grande Valley, grew up in Raymondville, TX and graduated from Raymondville High School in 1952. After an honorable service in the United States Air Force from 1954 through 1957, he earned several degrees: a Bachelor of Science (Texas A&I, Kingsville), a Masters in Supervision (Pan American University, Edinburg), and a Masters in Mid-Management Administration (Pan American University, Edinburg). What would follow is an illustrious career serving the Harlingen community, where he and his family have resided over the last 60 years. For more than four decades, he worked as an educator, over 25 of those years as Principal for Gay Memorial Junior High School. He attempted a brief retirement, lasting only one summer, but was called to continue serving his community, spending an additional 7 years as a math teacher at the Tamayo House in Harlingen, which houses and serves troubled youth. At the ripe age of 72, he finally settled into a well-deserved retirement. A devout Catholic, he and his wife, Carmela, were active members of St. Anthony's Catholic Church. The Rodriguez family would like to extend their sincere gratitude for the love and kindness expressed upon them during this difficult time. It is impossible to summarize the life of such a remarkable man into a few simple words; those who knew him know that he lived and loved with a true servant's heart. He leaves behind a legacy of love, kindness, and generosity. May we all be called upon and inspired to continue that legacy in his name. Visitation will begin Sunday at 12:00 PM until 8:00 PM and a rosary will be at 6:00 PM. Funeral services will be held Monday, February 8, 2021 with a chapel service at 10:00 AM at the Rudy Garza Funeral Home and burial will follow at Restlawn Cemetery with military honors under the auspices of the American Legion Post #205.