Judge Armando Villarreal Rodriguez

Houston has lost an outstanding servant, leader and native Houstonian Judge Armando V. Rodriguez. 

On February 4, 1940, he was born into the loving arms of his mother, Dolores Villarreal Rodriguez and father Jesus Maria Rodriguez. On March 5, 2024, “Super Tuesday” the Lord elected Judge Armando V. Rodriguez to be with Him in heaven. Born in “The 5th Ward" of Houston, Texas, he was licensed to practice law in 1967 and became the first Hispanic full-time municipal court Judge in Houston. In 1972, he was appointed by Commissioner Squatty Lyons to the newly created bench of Harris County Justice of the Peace, Precinct 6, Place 2, where he honorably served for 45 years. He is known to be the longest tenured judge in Harris County. An outstanding lawyer, judge, friend, father, son, brother and grandfather, he inspired one and all to serve the community and make contributions for the betterment of Houston. 

Even prior to becoming a lawyer, as a senior at U of H law, he established a non-profit organization to provide medical assistance to indigent women. Under the supervision of Attorney Jack C. Fielding, he worked for the Houston Legal Foundation representing people who could not afford attorneys. After passing the bar, he began his distinguished career as a practicing attorney. He joined the law firm of Martinez, Sanchez, Salinas, Nino and Rodriguez and practiced law as a private lawyer until becoming a judge. Judge Rodriguez and his good friend Congressman Al Green founded the Black and Brown Coalition where they addressed systematic injustices in a dignified manner. He later received recognition from the State Bar of Texas for practicing law for over 50 years and celebrated this anniversary at the Houston Bar Retreat. He has been the grateful recipient of numerous awards, which were proudly displayed in his chambers. Included among these were awards from LULAC, the Houston NAACP ALEX President Ameritus award for legal excellence, the “Lazos de Amistad” or “International Bonds of Friendship” award from the Instituto Latino Americano as well as a host of other accolades including the “Reconocimiento Ohtli” for his distinguished service of the Mexican, and Mexican-American community. This award is among the highest honors given to a non-Mexican citizen by the Secretaria de Relaciones Exteriores of Mexico. In addition, in 2023, Justice of the Peace Rodriguez’s portrait was included among a host of luminaries on the, “Wall of Honor” currently on display at his alma mater, U of H law. In addition, as a touching tribute after a visit to Israel in the 70’s, a beautiful olive tree was planted in his honor. 

In 1969, as the Hispanic community was facing increased racial discrimination, he found the need to promote diversity and highlight the beauty of the Hispanic culture, and in 1969 he founded “Fiestas Patrias”, an international organization to celebrate the great diversity of the Hispanic community and Houston. Fiestas Patrias would acknowledge those deserving by awarding the “Distinguished Hispanic of the Year Award" and the “Mexicano de Corazon" award. The beautiful Fiestas Patrias events originally included 4 beauty pageants, Awards Breakfast, Quebedeaux Park Celebration, Grand Ball and culminated in the Annual International Fiestas Patrias Parade, and festival. In 1994, Judge Rodriguez created the, “Salute to America” program as a tribute honoring Hispanic men and women serving in the U.S. Armed Forces, past and present. He inherited his father’s musical acumen and was a member of bands in Edison Jr. High School, Jeff Davis High School and the University of Houston. His brother, Jesse, taught him to love golf and his brother Carlos taught him the art of listening to the concerns of friends and the community. The love of involvement in the community was taught by his parents. 

The Judge's daughter, Judge Angela D. Rodriguez, at the tender age of 5, shared with her dad that she wanted to be a judge just like him. She is now the sitting Justice of the Peace for Precinct 6, Place 2 following her father's legacy as his successor for the community he has loved for so long. They invited Judge Zinetta Burney to swear her in on that special day. 

He was among less than 10 hispanic graduates from U of H Lawschool that year, graduating with his good friend, the late Atty. John O’Quinn. After graduating with honors, he met his future wife, Rita when a fellow lawyer introduced them. Theirs is a love story for the ages, as they were married a short time after meeting and have lived a life filled with true love ever since they exchanged their vows at St. Josephs Catholic Church, one special bright sunny day. He saw her walk down the aisle in the dress of many covered buttons designed by her mother, Guadalupe Alvarado, a master seamstress from South Houston. 

The joy in his life truly has been his family, and serving the people. He was a light, a strength, a comfort and a protector to his community and friends who knew him well. His commitment to service will continue because he taught and he preached, and poured his wisdom into the next generation of lawyers, friends and family. He would not want us to be overly discouraged at his loss, but in the words of his son, Andres Armando Rodriguez, Jr., he would want you to “Carry on with good work in his honor”. 

He is preceded in death by his parents, Jesus Maria Rodriguez and Dolores Villarreal Rodriguez; his brother, Jesus Jesse Rodriguez; his sister, Dora Villarreal Rodriguez and his nephew Miguel Jesus Daniel.

 To continue his legacy, Judge Rodriguez is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Rita Alvarado Rodriguez; his sons Atty. Carlos Armando Rodriguez and wife Cynthia, Andrés Armando Rodriguez, Jr., his daughter Judge Angela Dolores Rodriguez; and his grandchildren Carlos Antonio, Andrés Hector, Lorenzo Adam, Rebekah Cynthia, David Henry; his brothers Carlos “Charlie" Rodriguez, Manuel Rodriguez, Johnny Rodriguez, and wife Irma, nephews Johnny and Thomas; his sisters Dolores Rodriguez Gallegos, Gloria Rodriguez Daniel and husband Miguel, nieces Dolores Facundo and husband Jesus, Victoria Saldivar and husband Gus, nephews Gustavo and Daniel Saldivar, and nieces Dolores and Cecilia Facundo. You are invited to share beautiful remembrances and photos which can be sent to judgeangelar@gmail.com 

Pallbearers are: Atty. Carlos Armando Rodriguez, Andres Armando Rodriguez, Carlos Antonio Rodriguez, Andres Hector Rodriguez, Lorenzo Adam Rodriguez, Gus Saldivar, Daniel Saldivar, and Atty. Joe Romero 

Honorary Pallbearers are: Congressman Al Green, Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, Fmr. Congressman Gene Green, Commissioner Adrian Garcia, Mayor John Whitmire, Fmr. Constable Victor Trevino, Constable Sylvia Trevino, Judge Victor Trevino, III, Retired Judge Richard Vara, Judge Angela D. Rodriguez, Judge Zinetta Burney, Prof. Francisco Arriaga, Dr. Faisal Siddiqi, Faraz Siddiqi, Dr. Ryan Thai, Dr. Uday Kosla, Fmr. Councilmember Robert Gallegos, Atty. Ben Hall, Atty. Robert Nino, Atty Barry Baumgarten, Atty. Joe Matta, Atty Louie Martinez, Atty. Ralph Martinez, Atty. Mike Martinez, Atty. Paul Kubosh, Atty. Gerald Pat Monks, Sergeant Major John Gallegos, Dario Arellano, Johnny Mata, Freddy Blanco, Henry Galvan, Pete Leija, Ralph Garcia, Vidal Ramirez, W.R. Morris, Rodrigo Vega, Raul de los Santos, Joe Hernandez, Hector Herrera, Abel Torres, John Torres, Paul Torres, Chris Torres

The family will receive friends and family on Thursday, March 14, 2024

from 3:00pm to 9:00pm with a Rosary being recited at 7:00pm

at Compean Funeral Home Main Chapel

located at 2102 Broadway St., Houston, TX 77012.

A Funeral Mass will be Celebrated on Friday, March 15, 2024 at 10:00am

at The Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church

located at 1111 St. Joseph Pkwy., Houston, TX 77002.

Rite of Committal will follow in Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery

located at 6900 Lawndale Ave., Houston, TX 77023.