Elijardo 'Rocky' G. Rodriguez

Elijardo Gillermo “Rocky” Rodriguez, son of the late Eugene and Barbarita (Gallegos) Rodriguez, was born on March 8, 1936 in Algodones, New Mexico, and departed this life on September 11, 2010 in the Cox Medical Center in Springfield, Missouri following a long illness. He was 74 years, 6 months and 3 days of age.
Rocky grew up and attended school in Barstow, California; He served his country in the United States Marine Corp. from 1953 to 1955, serving as an M.P. He was awarded the National Defense Medal, China Service Medal and the M-1 Rifle Sharpshooter.
Following his discharge, he was employed as a boilermaker for many years. Rocky enjoyed the outdoors, especially when fishing, and deer and turkey hunting. He was a member of the Church of God.
He was a caring father, brother, grandfather, uncle, friend and neighbor. He will be truly missed by those who knew and loved him.
Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by a step-son: Craig; a brother: David Rodriguez; and by a sister: Mary Lou Gurule.
He is survived by his son: Darin Rodriguez and his wife, Judy; a granddaughter: Rhiannon Rodriguez, all of the State of Hawaii; two step-sons: Tim and Scott; two brothers: Jose “Bob” Rodriguez of Cabool, Missouri, and Joseph O’Donnell of Albuquerque, New Mexico; one sister: Priscilla Carrillo, of Barstow, California; one grandchild: Rhiannon Rodriguez; step-grandchildren; step-great-grandchildren; his special and devoted caregiver for eleven years: Virginia Collins; several nieces; nephews; and other relatives and friends.