Gustavo Rodriguez Obituary
The world has lost one of its most esteemed and beloved residents with the passing of Gustavo Rodriguez, affectionately known as Gus to his friends, Dad, Grandpa, Hermano, Tio and Primo to his family, on June 3, 2024 in Portales, New Mexico. I don’t know if he was born on a sunny, cloudy or stormy day on October 20, 1945, in old Mexico. I do know that he treated each day the same, come rain or shine, there was work to be had and done. He was a true and avid hard worker, something he embodied from a young age working in the fields, to delivering propane, and then getting into what he loved the most, farming and ranching.
His education wasn’t derived by way of a classroom. Rather, it came from all the chances, experiences, trials, tribulations, love and loss that God offered on the road, and in the fields. Gustavo was perfect in his imperfections, an absolute human, through and through. He wasn’t the most affectionate person, he loved in his own way, a way in which was and always will be more than enough. His life wasn’t one of riches in currency, it was one of friendships, a good day’s work, a body of water with plentiful fish, a tune of a guitar, a good horse or two, tending and caring for his goats/lambs, a western or comedic film, conversations at the local watering hole, and being asked about his grandkids, children and their goofy dogs.
He had many earthly homes by way of Elida, New Mexico, various small towns in Texas, to Burlington, Lamar, Arapahoe and Cheyenne Wells, Colorado, but none ever surmountable or better than opportunity to reunite with his son, Pablo, in Heaven. While he ultimately lost his battle with cancer, Gustavo was fully able to accept the suffering and patience that comes with illness through his faith in God and in the sacrifice that Jesus made for him, for us. The various roles that he had in this life will never be forgotten. They will always be cherished and etched in the hearts of those who knew and loved him. His cross is set, and his work is done. Praise God.
He is predeceased by his parents, Jesus and Virginia Rodriguez, his son, Pablo Rodriguez, sisters, Josefina, Matilda, Rosinda, Sofia and brothers, Chuy, Mario and Sebastian. His memory is honored and kept alive by his children, Alma, Lupita and Gustavo Rodriguez, Jr. as well as by the mother of his children, Manuela. And by is grandkids, Kegan and Bre’ann Rodriguez, Ricky, Carlos and Luis Cisneros, his siblings, Angelita and Guillermo, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
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