James Okabe Rodriguez
August 29, 1950 — May 4, 2016
James Okabe Rodriguez, a man loved by all. Known as Coach Jimmy by his softball players and Pops by his loved ones, passed away, Wednesday May 4, 2016 at Memorial Medical Center. He was born on August 29th, 1950 in Yokohama, Japan where his mother Sumiko and Luciano Rodriguez met. James had a total of 5 siblings, 3 brothers and 2 sisters. James was the oldest of the 5 followed by Mi...
James Okabe Rodriguez, a man loved by all. Known as Coach Jimmy by his softball players and Pops by his loved ones, passed away, Wednesday May 4, 2016 at Memorial Medical Center. He was born on August 29th, 1950 in Yokohama, Japan where his mother Sumiko and Luciano Rodriguez met. James had a total of 5 siblings, 3 brothers and 2 sisters. James was the oldest of the 5 followed by Michael Perez (Juanita), Bobby Perez (Mary), Charlie Perez, Jenny A. Perez, and Rosie S. Hendrix. He was married to Yolanda Rodriguez on August 14, 1971 in Tortugas, NM. This year would have been their 45th year of marriage. James graduated from Las Cruces high school with the class of 1968. Pops was an U.S. Army Vietnam Veteran, where he served for 3 years, earning various medals such as the National Defense Service medal, as well as a Bronze star, with a one leaf cluster. James was the, owner of Escondido restaurant where he ran the business in the office as well as the kitchen. Pop's favorite hobby was to coach girls fast pitch softball. He coached for 30 years for many different teams including the teams at LCHS and MHS. His pride and joy though was the team that he started called the Unicorns that later was changed into Fire. He also was a karate instructor for a period of time and taught his children the self-defense art as well. Jimmy is survived by his wife Yolanda M. Rodriguez and his 3 children, Israel J. Rodriguez, Tracy M. Rodriguez, Christopher Marlo Rodriguez, (Sylvia). H...
James Okabe Rodriguez, a man loved by all. Known as Coach Jimmy by his softball players and Pops by his loved ones, passed away, Wednesday May 4, 2016 at Memorial Medical Center. He was born on August 29th, 1950 in Yokohama, Japan where his mother Sumiko and Luciano Rodriguez met. James had a total of 5 siblings, 3 brothers and 2 sisters. James was the oldest of the 5 followed by Michael Perez (Juanita), Bobby Perez (Mary), Charlie Perez, Jenny A. Perez, and Rosie S. Hendrix. He was married to Yolanda Rodriguez on August 14, 1971 in Tortugas, NM. This year would have been their 45th year of marriage. James graduated from Las Cruces high school with the class of 1968. Pops was an U.S. Army Vietnam Veteran, where he served for 3 years, earning various medals such as the National Defense Service medal, as well as a Bronze star, with a one leaf cluster. James was the, owner of Escondido restaurant where he ran the business in the office as well as the kitchen. Pop's favorite hobby was to coach girls fast pitch softball. He coached for 30 years for many different teams including the teams at LCHS and MHS. His pride and joy though was the team that he started called the Unicorns that later was changed into Fire. He also was a karate instructor for a period of time and taught his children the self-defense art as well. Jimmy is survived by his wife Yolanda M. Rodriguez and his 3 children, Israel J. Rodriguez, Tracy M. Rodriguez, Christopher Marlo Rodriguez, (Sylvia). He has several grandchildren; Brianna S. Rodriguez and her significant other Antonio Soto, Julian K. Rodriguez, Alyxea A. Rodriguez, Neve S. Sanchez, Uriah S. Rodriguez, Ian I. Rodriguez, and Kaede K. Rodriguez. He was blessed to be able to see his great-grandchildren; Antonio J. Soto, Damian J. Soto, Khyrin A. Orsino, Aryany J. Soto, and Kalliope A. Orsino. He is also survived by sisters-in-law Pauline Acosta, Lupe Gutierrez (Tito), Adela Ortiz (deceased), Minnie Montoya, Bea Pacheco (Johnny), Chila Ramirez (Leonel), Patsy Chavez, Yvonne Montoya. As well as his brothers-in-law Johnny Montoya (Dolores), Leonel Montoya (Deceased), Theodore Montoya (Lupe), Margarito Montoya (Rita), Gregario Montoya (Yolanda), and Michael Montoya (Carrie). James was preceded in death by his mother Sumiko O. Perez, Stepfather, Ricardo C. Perez, and his father Luciano M. Rodriguez, mother-in-law Cesaria Montoya and father in law Juan B Montoya. A prayer vigil will be held on Thursday, May 12, 2016 at 12:30PM, at Our Lady of Guadalupe Mission, with the memorial mass to immediately follow at 1:00PM, interment will follow the mass at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens. Arrangements by Getz Funeral Home, corner of Solano and Bowman Ave. To sign our local online guestbook please log onto www.GetzCares.com PDF Printable Version
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