Celso C. Rodriguez

Celso C. Rodriguez, our beloved husband, father and grandfather, passed away on March 16, 2023, due to complications of Parkinson’s disease.

Celso was born on April 27, 1940, in New Gulf, Texas, to Celso and Guadalupe Cantu Rodriguez. Due to his mother’s untimely passing, he was raised by his aunt, Henriquita Rodriguez, along with his father and sisters by his side. He was blessed with two families growing up, always surrounded by love and support. 

A proud graduate of Boling High School, class of 1959, Celso graduated with top honors, playing baseball and football throughout his high school career. After moving to Corpus Christi, he played with the 1960 Coastal Bend Championship baseball team, while attending Del Mar College. He made many lifelong friends and memories during this time in his life. After graduating with honors from Del Mar College, he moved to Austin, Texas to pursue his degree from The University of Texas. Celso excelled in academics, as well as life in Austin, graduating in 1963 with his undergraduate degree, and with his law degree in 1967. He was very proud to be one of fifteen minority students in his large graduating class at the University of Texas School Of Law.

Prior to his graduation from law school, Celso met the love of his life, while visiting Corpus Christi. Both Celso and Mary had the pleasure of meeting at a dance at the Exposition Hall. The meeting was brief, as they were both in attendance with other people.  But, something special was in the air, and both Celso and Mary were determined to meet up again. A few weeks later, they found each other at the same place, this time without their original dates. From this point forward, they were better known as “Celso and Mary”, and were usually found at a dance! Married in 1968, Celso and Mary raised a family of 4 children, and were active in many clubs and organizations. Celso was an active member of the Royals Boys Social Club, the Southside Lions Club, a skilled handball player at the YMCA, and an avid poker player. Each of these experiences brought many wonderful memories and friendships to Celso, some of which have spanned 50 plus years. With his wife, Mary, they were active members of the Lulac, Sceptre Club, Instituto De Cultura Hispanica, and Los Sembradores, striving to keep the traditions of Hispanic culture alive.

Celso practiced General Practice law in Corpus Christi for over 50 years. He took great pride in the fact that he was one of the first Hispanic lawyers in town. Through his profession, he provided well for his family. But more importantly, he helped a lot of people. Celso saw the good in all people, regardless of their financial status. Through his pro bono work, he provided a benefit to his community. He represented his clients to the best of his ability, regardless of their ability to pay. Throughout his career, Celso was a well respected, honest attorney, always doing what was best for his clients. His work ethic was impeccable, never missing a court date, until his disease gained the upper hand. He loved being an attorney, as it was through this venture that he was able to be a faithful servant of God. 

Celso is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Mary Rodriguez, his daughters, Roberta Rodriguez, Roxanna Martinez (Freddie), Rhonda Rodriguez, his son, Celso Rene Rodriguez, grandsons, Daniel Aaron Valdez, Beau Martinez, and Blaise Martinez, his sisters, Genevieve Heffernan and Vera Aguilar, along with  numerous nieces and nephews. Celso was courageous in his long battle with Parkinson’s disease. We’d like to thank Harbor Hospice, especially Odila, Lenora, Mark and Ken for always providing great compassion and sincerity in Celso’s care. The family would also like to thank Norma Linda for the love and patience she shared with the whole family, while caring for him, as well.

In his own words, Celso “tried” to live by the Golden Rule, “Treat others the way you want to be treated”. Anybody that knew him knows that he achieved this goal, every single day. He was a man of integrity. May we all follow his lead, and do good deeds for each other and our community. 

A visitation will be held at 12pm on Saturday, March 25, 2023 at Seaside Funeral Home Chapel with the funeral service to follow at 1:30pm. An entombment will take place at Seaside Memorial Park that same day.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.