Rafael Garcia Rodriguez, Jr.

Rafael (Ralph) Garcia Rodriguez Jr. passed away on January 21, 2022 in Abilene, Texas. Visitation will be from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm on January 26, 2022 at Hamil Family Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am on Thursday January 27, 2022 with Pastor Mike Hill of Beltway North officiating. Burial will follow at Texas State Veterans Cemetery at 1:00 pm. A memorial service will be held at VFW Post 6873 at 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm January 27, 2022. Services are under the direction of Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road. Ralph was born in Brady, Texas to Rafael Rodriquez Sr. and Macaria Rodriquez on May 4, 1947. He went to school in Brady, Texas. He received his GED from McMurry College. He married Janie Cantu on February 22, 1964 in Brady, Texas. He worked at various employment, including truck driver, mechanic, and meat butcher. He was a veteran of the Vietnam War and served in the Army during the 1968 Tet Offensive. He was involved with VFW 6873, DAV Chapter 36, NCOA, Military Order of the Cooties, American Legion, Knights of Columbus, and Veterans Honor Guard. He was four times Commander of VFW Post 6873, two times District 8 Commander of the VFW, two times DAV Commander, VFW State General Inspector, VFW State General Inspector, National Aide-de-Camp, three times All-American Commander, three times All-State Commander, and honorary Army recruiter. Ralph was preceded in death by grandparents, Nestor & Sotera Chavarria and Jose & Maria Garcia: parents, Rafael Rodriquez & Macaria Najera: brother, Raymond Rodriguez: nephews, Joe and Alex Rodriquez. Ralph is survived by wife of 57 years, Janie Rodriguez: children, Velma Loza (Johnny), Ralph Rodriguez III (Sylvia), Christopher Rodriguez (Sarah): brothers, Jose Rodriquez, Johnny Rodriquez, Andrew Rodriquez: sisters, Mary Helen Ramirez, Virginia Estrada, Rose Murphy, Linda Kiani, Margaret Rodriquez: grandchildren, Alyssa Smythe, David Loza, Kandice Galvan, Christian Rodriguez and Cameron Rodriguez: great grandchildren, Aria Elise Smythe (on the way). Pallbearers will be Gabriel Moreno, Louis Rodriquez, Sarah Rodriguez, Christopher Rodriguez, Carl Price, and Fermin Cantu. Honorary pallbearers are Jose Rodriquez, Johnny Rodriquez, and Scott Smythe. Memorials may be given to Hendrick League House and Hendrick Hospice. The family of Ralph Garcia Rodriguez Jr. wishes to extend our sincere thanks to Dr. Hudman, Dr. Kalla, Dr. Yogi Patel, all staff at Hendrick Hospice, Veterans of Foreign Wars and Auxiliary, DAV, American Legion, Gold Star mothers, Beltway Church, Brian Huntley, and David McQueen.