Joe Rodriguez

Joe Rodriguez, 75, of Topeka, passed away on Saturday, June 20, 2015 at St. Francis Hospital in Topeka. He was born June 25, 1939. Joe grew up in the bottoms, an area of Topeka, now covered by industrial buildings like the old Hallmark Cards building, Ramada Inn and the interstate highway and the county jail. Mr. Rodriguez worked for over 30 years for Frito Lay before retiring on August 3, 2001. Joe was a member of his church, North Rock Baptist Temple in Oakland. He was married to Mary Rodriguez in 1959. They later divorced. Joe married Juanice on January 26, 1985 at their home in Highland Park with many of his friends from Frito Lay in attendence.
Joe loved to watch old westerns on TV as well as wrestling. Nothing or no one interrupted him while he watched wrestling. He loved to fish, especially at Perry and Lake Shawnee. He had a truck “Little Red” that he could just never seem to sell. He was just too attached to it. And he loved his animals, especially his dogs. Joe was an avid worker in his yard, even after he got sick, he still loved to be out their taking care of any yard work that needed to be done. For years he drove the church van, taking people to church that couldn’t or didn’t drive anymore.
Survivors include: his wife, Juanice Rodriguez of Topeka; his children, Annie Barron of Topeka, David Rodriguez and wife Jeri of Ulysses, Kansas, Rita Rodriguez of Topeka and Patricia Rodriguez of Topeka; step-children, Wayne McClure and his wife, Shannon of Wichita and Jimmy McClure and wife Sandy of Independence, Missouri; sisters, Mary Palomo, Lupe Foster, Lisa Mendez and Margaret Sajardo and husband Roman; ten grandchildren, Ricky Barron, Michael Barron, Valencia Rodriguez, Monica Rodriguez, Martin Rodriguez, Anelisa Rodriguez, Letisia Rodriguez, Shaye Keeling, Danielle Keeling and Tregg Rodriguez; and five great-grandchildren.
Funeral Services will be held on Friday, June 26th at the North Rock Baptist Church at 11:00 am. Interment will follow. Mr. Rodriguez will lie in state from 3-9 pm on Thursday where the family will receive friends from 4-8 pm at the Davidson Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be sent to the Joe Rodriguez Memorial Fund in care of Kaw Valley Bank.