April 12, 1938 – October 14, 2022

Santiago “Jimmy” “Jim” Rodriguez, age 84, passed away in Webster, Texas on October 14, 2022.  Jim was born April 12, 1938, at 1903 Ruiz Street in San Antonio, Texas to Ovidio and Mary (Ruiz) Rodriguez.  Jim is survived by his wife of 52 years Gladys, his son Sean and granddaughter Alexa; daughter Amber Pettit, husband Jason, granddaughters Mia and Ava Mae.  Additional survivors are his sisters Yolanda Ortiz of San Antonio, Patsy Olsen of Missouri, and brother Saul Rodriguez of San Antonio.  Jim is preceded in death by his parents Ovidio and Mary, brother Otis Rodriguez, Jr., and sister Santos Rodriguez. 

Jim attended San Antonio Vocational and Technical High School and graduated Salutatorian in 1957.  He was the school class President and played numerous sports.  Jim was often featured in the school’s paper The Technician.  Jim also worked for his father’s construction company and learned many skills that assisted him throughout his life. 

After high school, Jim attended San Antonio College from 1957-1960 receiving an Associate of Arts and Associate of Science degree.  He attended the University of Texas in 1960 for one semester before enlisting in the United States Air Force.  Initially Jim wanted to enlist for the GI Bill to complete his college education.  After four years, Jim reenlisted while stationed at Clark AF Base in the Philippines during the Vietnam War.  When honorably discharged in 1971, Jim left the Air Force as a Staff Sergeant.   

During Jim’s military career, he was stationed in Newfoundland and by chance met Gladys.  After three months of dating, Jim and Gladys made it official and wed in Woody Point, NFLD.  Shortly thereafter, they relocated to Great Falls, Montana and then San Antonio, Texas finally settling down in Houston, Texas. 

Jim eventually finished his college degree and received an MBA in Computer Science from the University of Houston.  He often spoke of returning to college to get his doctorate.  Jim worked at NASA as a civil servant and then changed career paths eventually becoming a payroll tax auditor for the Texas Workforce Commission that carried him to his retirement.   

In his golden years, Jim enjoyed family especially spoiling his granddaughters.  He would often take them to the library or movies, or the corner store for a special treat.  Jim always made family a priority.  He was home every night for dinner with a kiss on the cheek for Gladys.  Homework was made easier through his help.  And Jim never missed an opportunity to sign up for assistant coach for Sean or Amber’s sports teams.  An avid sportsman himself, Jim loved his Houston Astros, Houston Rockets, Houston Oilers, now the Houston Texans.  Often, he would call the play before it happened.  Jim was very friendly and loved to make new friends.  If help was needed, you could always count on him.  His wisdom, friendship, and humor will be greatly missed by many. 

A private burial will be at Houston National Cemetery.