Lucio was born in Presilla Alta, Cd. Camargo, Chihuahua, Mexico on December 13, 1923. His Father, Rito Rodriguez was 54 and his mother, Eulalia Velo Rodriguez was 36 when he was born. He was the youngest of 12 children, all who have preceded him in death. His family later moved to Delicias, Chih, Mexico. He immigrated to the U.S. when he was about 20 years old. In 1946 he met and married the love of his life, Maria de Atocha Gonzales and together established a family of 5 children, one who died in infancy. They lived in Canutillo, TX where he worked in various capacities drilling water irrigation wells all throughout the southwest, finally moving to Stahmann Farms in 1959, where he worked as a laborer, then as a welder. He took classes in English and became a naturalized U.S. citizen on 12/29/1967. Upon his retirement in 1973 from Stahmann's he became self-employed, first running the Rancho Grande Bar in Mesquite, and then establishing the Brazito Welding Shop. He earned his GED in 1976, graduating in 1978 from the DAC Occupational Educational Branch in the Welding Trades. He became active in various civic and political activities, campaigning for politicians he believed would advance the causes dear to his heart. He was instrumental in helping to secure funding to establish the Brazito Mutual Domestic Water Consumers Association and serving as its president to bring potable water to numerous families in the area. He was an active volunteer with organizations such as the H.E.L.P. and Concilio De Campesinos (Farm workers Council). He spent many hours attending meetings, and served as president of the Santo Tomas Self-Help Housing Association. He spent over 30 years serving as board member of Tierra Del Sol Housing Corporation. One of his most important contributions to the Mesilla Valley was being instrumental in securing the first Dialysis Treatment Center in Las Cruces with the assistance of the office of Senator Pete Domenici, his beloved wife being the motivation as his wife was a dialysis patient for 15 years. During this time he went back to work, this time as a custodian at NMSU. Lucio and Maria were featured in a Sun News article on April 04, 1986. He took loving care of her until the day that she died in 1990. He also served as a lector at Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Mesquite and was a member of the choir. After his wife's death he retired from NMSU and enjoyed going to Munson Center until he became too ill with complications from diabetes and Alzheimers disease. He was also preceded in death by his grandparents, Marcelino Rodriguez and Trinidad Bustamante and Ramon Velo and Manuela Salcido, as well as one daughter, Maria Christina Rodriguez and one great granddaughter, Iohnnie Rose Addison. Some of his brothers and sisters were Agustin, Trinidad, Loreto, Francisca, and Juana. He is survived by 4 children: Lucy Munoz (Michael), Rito Rodriguez (Pauline), Mary L. Rodriguez, and Manny Rodriguez (Laura), 13 grandchildren, Mike Sanchez, Jack Sanchez, Terry Sanchez, Liz Sanchez, Julie Sanchez, Jessica Sanchez, Renee Rodriguez, Regenna Olona Rodriguez, Javier Mario Rodriguez, Ivane Benavidez, Natalie Henderson, Rito Manuel Rodriguez, Adrianna Marie Rodriguez, and Armando Miguel Rodriguez, 15 great grandchildren and 3 great great grandchildren. A visitation will be from 5 to 7 pm on Thursday, July 2, 2009 at Getz Funeral Home Chapel where the Prayer Vigil will follow at 7 pm. The Funeral Liturgy will be at 10 am on Friday July 3, 2009 at Our Lady of Health Catholic Church with the Fathers of the Augustinian Recollects officiating. The Rite of Committal and burial will follow at the Canutillo Cemetery. Serving, as pallbearers will be: Rito Manuel Rodriguez, Jesus Meraz, Estephan Benavidez, Jonathan Addison, Michael Sanchez, Jack Sanchez. PDF Printable Version
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