Manuel S. Rodriguez

Manuel S. Rodriguez, Age 82

After a yearlong battle with colon cancer, Manuel died peacefully on Thursday, November 10, 2022.

Manuel was the eldest son of 9 children to Carlota and Manuel F. Rodriguez. He was a graduate of Marian Catholic High School, once located in Bellaire, Texas. After high school, he proudly served in the U.S. Air Force. Manuel was a devout Catholic and long-term parishioner of St. Christopher Catholic Church. After he retired from ExxonMobil, he dedicated much of his time to the St. Christopher Food pantry, where he helped many area families in need through his quiet, yet faithful service to the pantry for several years. Manuel was also a faithful family man and on March 18, 1972, he married Zenaida Rincon of Waelder, Texas, to whom he was married 45 years. Their home was always a place that offered a warm-hearted welcome, great hospitality, a shelter and family, much love, friendship, good times and good food, to family, friends and anyone who would come by: near, dear and far.

Manuel was a man of a few, yet well-chosen words. He liked things to be “simple” and “nothing fancy.” He will be remembered fondly for his famous sayings, “I want you to know, and I’ll have you know…”, “no dilly-dally and no hanky-panky". He will be missed greatly by all who knew and loved him. Manuel is preceded in death by his wife, Zenaida Rodriguez; step-son, Jimmy Rendon; step-daughter-in-law, Sylvia Rendon; mother, Carlota Rodriguez; father, Manuel F. Rodriguez; brothers, Raymond, Rudolph “Rudy” and Carlos “Charlie” Rodriguez. He is survived by step-daughter Mary Helen Gould (daughter, Sarah Zenaida) and step-daughter Alicia Tyson (husband, Thomas & family); sisters: Maria Teresa Gomez (husband, Rafael & family) and Mary Louise Jimenez (husband, Juan Manuel & family); brothers: John Rodriguez (wife, Nancy & family), Anthony Rodriguez (wife, Lydia & family), Theodore Rodriguez (wife, Betty & family); granddaughters: Jaime Rendon-Guerra (partner, Jimmy & family), Melanie Rendon Villarreal (husband, Karl & family), Mia Rendon Howard (and family), Haley Wright (and family); grandsons: Eric Perez, Nicholas Rao, Chris “Chito” Rendon (wife, Jessica), Aquiles “AC” Rendon (wife, Rica & family), Jimmy Ray “JR” Rendon (partner, Tessie & family) and numerous other family members too many to mention, but close at heart.

Services for Manuel Rodriguez will be on November 21, 2022. Compean Funeral Home will take him to St. Christopher Catholic Church, 8150 Park Place Blvd., Houston, TX 77017 for a viewing from 9 am – 10 am. Rosary will be held at the church at 10 am, with mass beginning at 10:30 am, with Fr. Gregory Cheo officiating. Interment will be held at Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery located at 6900 Lawndale Ave., Houston, TX 77023. Graveside service will be at 12 pm.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly suggests sending a love offering in honor of Mr. & Mrs. Manuel Rodriguez, to:

St. Christopher Catholic Church

c/o Fr. Gregory

8134 Park Place Blvd.

Houston, TX 77017