FEATURED: Palmhurst Mayor Ramiro J. Rodríguez, Jr., 68, who had been mayor of that community for more than than 23 years, passed away on Tuesday, April 5, 2022. His death was announced by U.S. Congressman Henry Cuellar, D-Laredo.
Photograph Courtesy CITY OF PALMHURST FACEBOOK
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Palmhurst Mayor Ramiro J. Rodríguez, Jr., who passed away on April 5, 2022, remembered for his public service career by Congressman Henry Cuellar and Sen. Juan Hinojosa
By DAVID A. DÍAZ
[email protected]
Palmhurst Mayor Ramiro J. Rodríguez, Jr., 68, who had been mayor of that community for more than than 23 years, passed away on Tuesday, April 5, 2022.
His death was announced by U.S. Congressman Henry Cuellar, D-Laredo.
“It is with an especially heavy heart that I write to convey my deepest sympathy and most sincere condolences for the passing of Mayor Ramiro Rodríguez,” Cuellar posted on his Facebook in the mid-afternoon of Wednesday, April 6, 2022. “Mayor Rodríguez served South Texas with pride and dignity during his many years of service as Mayor of Palmhurst. He was known as a passionate public servant and was a pillar of the community. His contributions will always be remembered. Rest In Peace.”
According to his obituary posted by the Ric Brown Family Funeral Home in Mission, the current mayor (1999-2022) and retired pharmaceutical salesman “joined friends and family in eternal rest on April 5, 2022 with his wife Elda Rodríguez of 43 years at his bedside. As a true public servant, (Mayor Rodríguez) took classes for open meeting compliance and public funding for cities. He fought ferociously for all citizens in his town and other small cities. This was evident during the pandemic where he successfully obtained equal allotments of crisis funding for all citizens regardless of city population size.”
In addition to his wife Elda, the mayor also is survived by his son Ramiro José Alex Rodríguez, III (Marlo), his sisters GloriaSequeira (Gonzalo), Illiana Torres (Francisco), Eliseo Rodríguez, and MaryCantú (Armengol), and his beloved dog Athena.
Sen. Juan Hinojosa, D-McAllen, also had high praise about Rodríguez’ life as a community leader and role model.
“Mayor Rodríguez was always very accessible and focused on taking care of his community. He was a dedicated public servant and provided leadership to his constituents,” Hinojosa said. “Above all, Ramiro J. Rodríguez, Jr., was a loving and caring family man. My deepest condolences to his family, friends, and loved ones. May he Rest in Peace and be in Heaven.”
During the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic in hard-hit Hidalgo County in 2020, the mayor used his professional and public service experiences to help all committees in the region.
“I recall Mayor Rodríguez attended key meetings on healthcare issues, even on Sundays late in the afternoon, advocating for his constituents,” the District 20 state senator said. “He played a key role in making sure COVID funds given directly to Hidalgo County were also shared with smaller cities, including the City of Palmhurst. I’m saddened to learn of the passing of City of Palmhurst Mayor Ramiro J. Rodríguez, Jr.”
Palmhurst, which as of January 1, 2019 had an estimated population of 2766, is bordered to the north by Alton, to the west byWest Sharyland, to the south byMission, and to the east byMcAllen.
Rodríguez served as mayor during a period of remarkable economic transformation for his community, according to Wikipedia, which is a multilingual open online encyclopedia which is the largest and most-read reference work in history.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia
The demographics of Palmhurst have changed dramatically since 2000, Over the past decade, the city lost nearly half its population as many low-income families in small homes moved out and were replaced by a smaller number of upscale residents. According to Onboard Informatics, by 2013 the median household income in Palmhurst had risen to $77,491, making it one of the wealthiest communities in South Texas.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palmhurst,_Texas
According to his professional biography posted on LinkedIn, which is used primarily for professional networking and career development, Rodriguez had provided the following highlights:
Experienced Mayor with a demonstrated history of working in the law enforcement industry. Skilled in Negotiation, Budgeting, Coaching, Sales, and Sales Operations. Strong community and social services professional with an Interdisciplinary Studies focused in American Government and Politics (United States) and a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology from The University of Texas-Pan American.
Mayor
City of Palmhurst
January 1999 – Present
23 years 4 months
United States
Director, Human Resources
Sáenz Medical Pharmacy
June 2009 – January 2017
7 years 8 months
McAllen, Texas Area
Durable Medical Equipment. Prescription service, Delivery, Training, Compliance. Information Management.
Sales Representative
Pfizer
September 1984 – June 2009
24 years 10 months
Rio Grande Valley, Texas
Calling on physicians to promote cardiovascular, antidepressant, gastrointestinal medications.
Promotion of vaccines and antibiotics for pediatric use.
Education
The University of Texas-Pan American
Bachelor of Arts
Biology
Minor
Interdisciplinary Studies
1972 – 1977
Ramiro José Rodríguez, Jr.
Obituary
Ramiro José Rodríguez, Jr., current Mayor (1999-2022) and retired pharmaceutical salesman, joined friends and family in eternal rest on Tuesday, April 5, 2022, with his wife of 43 years at his bedside.
He was a graduate of Peacock Military Academy in San Antonio.
Rodríguez received his Bachelor’s Degree in Biology and Minor in Interdisciplinary Studies from Pan American University.
Upon graduating college his journey began as a lifelong public servant working for the cities of McAllen, Mission and Pharr.
Upon leaving the Pharr’s city manager’s office, Rodríguez pursued a career of pharmaceutical sales for Wyeth for 25 years.
Upon retirement, he became full time mayor for the city of Palmhurst, a position he has held since 1999.
As a first term mayor, he was able to establish a police department and a municipal court.
Palmhurst grew from a sleepy town to a successful community.
Wal-mart, H-E-B and Walgreens are just a few of the businesses the mayor and the city council attracted into the community.
In addition to being mayor, Rodríguez served four years as Region Twelve Director with the Texas Municipal League, TML Audit Committee, Presidential Nominating Board, legislative forums, Census Council, and Drainage Bond Committee.
Some of the awards that Rodríguez received during his lifetime include RGV Walk of Fame — 2005, Cambridge Who’s Who — 2009, Leadership Award — City of Alton 2017.
As a true public servant, Rodríguez took classes for open meeting compliance and public funding for cities.
He fought ferociously for all citizens in his town and other small cities. This was evident during the pandemic where he successfully obtained equal allotments of crisis funding for all citizens regardless of city population size.
Throughout Rodríguez’ life he enjoyed various forms of activities, such as bowling, reading, and having discussions with his son and friends regardless of the topic, from politics to extraterrestrial phenomenon.
Despite their letdowns Rodríguez was a faithful Dallas Cowboys fan along with enjoying the San Antonio Spurs and Houston Astros. He was an avid bowler and participated in the Flamingo and Mission Valley Classic league for more than 30 years.
While attending college Rodríguez worked as a dispatcher for McAllen fire department and later was a volunteer for the Mission fire department.
He was a member of the Mission Rotary Club where he served as President, Vice President and Secretary.
He was affiliated with the Knight of Columbus St. Paul’s Chapter and the Rosicrucian order.
Rodríguez was born on October 16, 1953 in San Juan, Texas.
He was a loving spouse, father, brother and uncle.
He was preceded in death by Elvia Rodríguez (mother), Ramiro Rodríguez, Sr. (father), Carol Villaseñor (sister) and Frank Rodríguez (brother).
Mayor Rodríguez is survived by his spouse Elda Rodríguez along with his son Ramiro José Alex Rodríguez, III (Marlo) and his beloved dog Athena.
He is also survived by his siblings GloriaSequeira (Gonzalo), Illiana Torres (Francisco), Eliseo Rodríguez, and MaryCantú (Armengol).
His family was scheduled to receive friends Monday April 11, 2022 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the Ric Brown Family Funeral Home Chapel in Mission with a rosary set to begin at 7 p.m.
A Mass of Christian Burial was scheduled for 10 a.m. on Tuesday April 12, 2022 at St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Mission.
Rite of Committal was set to follow at Valley Memorial Gardens.
Rodríguez be greatly missed by his family and friends.
The family would like to express their gratitude for their prayers and support in this time of remembrance and celebration of life.
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