- Date Of Birth: December 21, 1940
- Date Of Death: July 30, 2016
- State: New Mexico
RODRIGUEZ, GLISERIO “ROD”- Gliserio “Rod” Rodriguez, 75, of Roswell, passed away peacefully in his home surrounded by his loving family, on Saturday July 30th, 2016 after a courageous six year battle with cancer.
Rod was born in Fort Davis, Texas, December 21st, 1940 to Jose Rodriguez and Agueda (Talavera) Rodriguez. He is survived by his devoted wife Margaret, his daughter Maria and husband Kelly Sanders of Roswell, and their children Elizabeth and Michael; his daughter Julia and husband Brian McCullough of Grapevine, Texas, and their children Brendan, Paul, Alistair, Christine, Colin, Patrick, Theresa, Angela and Alexandra; his son Thomas “T J” of Santa Barbara, California; and his daughter Alicia and husband Nick Conger of Beavercreek, Ohio, and their children Kolbe, Christian, Julia Marie, Olivia and Blaise; his granddaughter in- law, Dara Sanders-Aceves, her husband, Beto and his three great-grandchildren, Alecsandar, Jacquelyn and Devlyn; his sister Julie Smith and family of Louisiana; his brother Joe and wife Jeanne and son Charles and family of La Luz, NM; and his many cousins, nieces and nephews. Rod was predeceased by his parents, his sister, Donna Rodriguez, his nephew Rusty Smith, and his beloved grandson, Sgt. Christopher Sanders.
Rod’s quiet, unassuming and humble personality belied his many skills and talents.
After graduating from Alamogordo High School, Rod enlisted in the army where he was an electronics supervisor in the area of security. He was honorably discharged as Staff Sergeant E-6. It was while serving in Europe he met his wife, Margaret Leamy. They were married at St. Thomas Catholic Church in Seattle, Washington on May 7th, 1966.
Rod worked for Boeing Aircraft Company in Seattle, Washington, where he was awarded for redesigning the wing flaps of the 747 aircraft, and at Lockheed Aircraft Company in Atlanta, Georgia, he was a lead designer for the L10-11 Airbus. When the aircraft industry shut down in 1970, Rod enrolled at NM State University and earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in two years, then while working as a cartographer at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln he earned a Master Degree in Geography.
In 1974 the family made their home in Roswell and Rod became active in church, community and statewide activities. While employed by the Economic Planning and Development District and later by Yates Petroleum Company in Artesia, Rod served as president of the board of the Zia Girl Scout Council, and president of the Board of Casa de Paz, an organization that served the needs of religious education for the Catholic churches in Chaves County. He was honored to serve as a lay minister of the Holy Eucharist until his illness. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, and he was also active in the NM Army National Guard.
Over the last 20 years of Rod’s working career, his knowledge, experience and expertise with the energy industry kept him busy as a inspector and consultant with contract work for numerous oil and gas companies across America, and in Mexico and Puerto Rico.
Although Rod’s work often required time away from home, he was a true family man. During the children’s school years he made every effort to be at all activities important to them. He was their biggest fan. He was so proud of his family and all their accomplishments. His children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren were his pride and joy.
