Grand Prairie/San Benito, Texas - Jose I. Rodriguez, 79, passed away peacefully on January 12, 2012 at V.A. Hospital in Dallas, Texas surrounded by loved ones. Jose was a World War veteran of the Korean War who was honorably discharged from the Unites States Army. He retired after working maintenance for Texas Department of Health and Human Services for 30 years. In 1987, he was awarded the Volunteer of the Year Award for the State of Texas. He was also employed as the custodian for the San Benito Bank and Trust Co. for many years. He was a member of St. Michael the Archangel Parish of Grand Prairie, Texas, and St. Benedict Catholic Church in San Benito. Jose was known by many names such as: Joe, Israel, Ira, Uncle Roy, Grandpa, but the most special one was Dad. He always greeted you with "Que paso" and always ended a conversation with "I love you very much and God bless you all the way." Jose was always known for his jokes and generosity and will be dearly missed. He is preceded in death by his parents, Tomas and Guadalupe B. Rodriguez; 2 brothers, Manuel Rodriguez and Omar Rodriguez; his nephew, Lionel Barry Rodriguez; and his godson, Lenny Amaya. He is survived by his 4 children: Maria G. "Lupita" Rodriguez of Austin, Texas, Jose Israel (Esmeralda) Rodriguez Jr of Grand Prairie, Texas, Dorina Rodriguez of Austin, Texas, and Tomas "Tommy" Rodriguez of Denver, Colorado; three grandchildren: Jose Israel Rodriguez III, Marissa Rodriguez, and Joaquin Tomas "Jake" Jaimez; two great-grandsons; Matthew and J.C., and his brother, Leonel (Ramona) Rodriguez of San Benito, Texas. He is also survived by his nieces and nephews: Terry (Abel) Leal, Jessica (Joe) Banda, Jaime Rodriguez, Omar "Forrest" Rodriguez II and William "Billy" Rodriguez. Also surviving are his grand nieces and nephews: Aja Rodriguez, Lauren Rodriguez, Ryan Spencer, Rachel Rodriguez, and Zackary Rodriguez. Visitation was held on Tuesday, January 17, 2012 from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm, with a holy rosary recited at 6:00 pm, followed by a celebration of his life, at Thomae-Garza Funeral Home in San Benito. Mass of Resurrection will be held on Wednesday, January 18, 2012 at 12 noon at St. Benedict Catholic Church in San Benito, with committal service to follow at Mont Meta Memorial Park. Military Honors will be conducted at graveside by the American Legion Post 205 of Harlingen, Texas. Pallbearers will be Jaime Rodriguez, Joaquin Jaimez, Alvaro Jaimez, Marcos Benavides, Toby Benavides and Frank Moreno. Serving as honorary pallbearers will be Enrique Ornelas Jr. and Crescencio Salazar. A celebratory mass was held at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Parish in Grand Prairie, TX on Monday, January 16, 2012. Pallbearers were John Blankenship, Frank Moreno, Luis Munoz, Timo Rodriguez, Billy Rodriguez and Jose Cardenas. Words of Comfort can be sent to the family of Jose I. Rodriguez at www.thomaegarza.com. Funeral arrangements entrusted to Thomae-Garza Funeral Directors, 395 S. Sam Houston, San Benito, Texas, (956) 399-1331.