Johnny Rodriguez

Johnny O. Rodriguez, 79, passed away June 29, 2021, at home with his wife and family by his side. Mass of Christian burial will be held at Sacred Heart Catholic Church at 10 am on July 2, with Father Benjamin Magnaye officiating. Visitation will be held at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Funeral Home at 6 pm on July 1, with a rosary beginning at 7 pm. Johnny was born in Waco, Texas, to Frank Rodriguez, Sr., and Nona Rodriguez. He grew up and lived all his life in Waco. He graduated from the old Waco High School and worked at Imperial Woodworks, Inc., for 35 years, where he retired. He served Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Funeral Home for 17 years as a funeral director’s assistant. On January 25, 1968, he married the love of his life, Yolanda Martinez. He was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church for 53 years, where he served as a Eucharistic minister and a scout master. He was devoted to his church and continually assisted Fr. Benji. He was a lifetime member of the Waco Missions, where he enjoyed the game of darts. He would travel to Austin and San Antonio to bring the Waco Missions the best of Tejano bands. He enjoyed going to Janie’s Records in San Antonio to meet Tejano stars and pick up Tejano music he did not already have. He was a DJ for KRZI’s Mi Favorito with his compadre, Leonard Montelongo and his friend, Vidal De Leon. He enjoyed working in his backyard, feeding the stray cats in the neighborhood, and putting up blow-ups in his front yard for all his nieces and nephews. Johnny is preceded in death by his parents, Frank Rodriguez, Sr., and Nona Rodriguez; his in-laws, Paul and Faustina Martinez; his brothers, Frank Rodriguez, Jr., and Ricardo Rodriguez; brother-in-law, Paul Martinez, Jr.; and sister-in-law, Adelia Gonzalez. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Yolanda; his sisters, Rosie A. Ramos, Dianne Ramon and her husband, Ruben, Theresa A. Rodriguez, Priscilla R. Guerrero; his girl, Marie A. Sanchez; and numerous nieces and nephews. His pallbearers will be Jody Lee Martinez, Paul Stefan Martinez, Armando Botello, Jr., Manuel Botello, Stephen Austin Sanchez, Jesse Guerrero, Jr., Brandon Weaver, and Ruben Ramon. His godchildren will be honorary pallbearers. Memorials may be made to Sacred Heart Catholic Church. The family invites you to share a message or memory on our “Tribute Wall” at www.WHBfamily.com. “Thank you to Ascension Hospice and my girls Marie and Dianne and my sister Rosie for helping Yolanda take care of me during my illness.” --Johnny