John Lorenzo Rodriguez, Sr. of Emporia died on Friday, May 15, 2020 at Stormont Vail Hospital in Topeka. He was 78.
John was born on September 1, 1941 in Emporia, Kansas the son of Lorenzo and Sofia Torres Rodriguez. He married Maria E. Gaspar on June 6, 1964 in Emporia, Kansas. She survives at the home.
Surviving family members include: wife, Maria E. Rodriguez of Emporia; sons, John L. (Maria) Rodriguez Jr. of Bel Aire, Kansas, and Eric Rodriguez of Emporia; daughters, Suzette (Eddie) Rodriguez Foster of Wichita, and Kristine (Christopher) Bates of Emporia; grandchildren, Megan Rodriguez, Christopher Rodriguez, Michael Tejeda, Alexis Rodriguez, Alejandro Tejeda, Allanette Rodriguez, Hope Rodriguez, Isabella Bates, Isaac Bates, and Xavier Rodriguez; great-grandchildren, Maria Lies, Emma Lies, MaKenley Stevens, and Adrian Ibarra; brothers, Raymond (Barbara) Rodriguez of Emporia, and Manuel (Lawana) Rodriguez of Raytown, Missouri; sister-in-laws, Janet Rodriguez, Mary Rodriguez, and Janice Rodriguez all of Emporia.
He is preceded in death by his parents; Lorenzo and Sofia Rodriguez, brothers, Victor Rodriguez, Andrew Rodriguez, and Gabriel Rodriguez; sisters, Esperanza Rodriguez, and Monica Rodriguez.
John worked for over 25 years at I.B.P. before retiring. John was a loving husband, father, grandfather and friend. He always had a smile and no one was no stranger to him. He welcomed everyone into his home like you were part of his family. His life was dedicated to the lord he prayed the rosary daily and for anyone that needed prayer he would pray with them or for them. John had a passion for music, he played in his high school band all through his high school years. he played the saxophone in the family band La Raza. He was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church.
Cremation is planned with a Mass of Christian burial at a later date with burial at Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery, Emporia. Memorial contributions to St. Jude Children Research and Sacred Heart Church can be sent to the funeral home.
To plant Memorial Trees in memory of John Lorenzo Rodriguez, Sr., please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.
