Mario Robert Rodriguez

Mario Robert Rodriguez Sr. was born June 27th, 1932, to Manuel Herrera Rodriguez of Durango, Mexico, and Josephine Zayas Rodriguez of Sinaloa, Mexico. He was born with the help of a midwife in his home in Boyle Heights, California. Mario passed away peacefully in his home on May 13th, 2026, at 93 years old. Mario grew up in Boyle Heights alongside his older brother, Manuel, and younger brother, Marco. Mario graduated from Roosevelt High School and went on to earn his Bachelor’s Degree in Theology at Pepperdine College.

Mario was a faithful Christian throughout his life. He played the clarinet in the Pentecostal Church during his high school years and eventually found a home in the Echandia Street Church of Christ in Los Angeles. This is where he met his wife, Pauline, at the age of eighteen and began a five-year courtship. Mario Robert Rodriguez Sr. and Pauline Guadalupe Martinez were married on June 25th, 1955, and spent 67 years together before Pauline’s passing on September 6th, 2022. Soon after their wedding, they moved together to Torrance, California, and raised their children and became esteemed members of their community.

Mario attended the Sichel Street Church of Christ for over 50 years serving as a song leader, Youth Minister, Associate Minister, Treasurer, and bible teacher. Mario had a deep love for Christ and his teachings and found joy in dedicating his life towards service in the Church.

Mario spent 33 years working for the County of Los Angeles in a variety of positions. He started as a Juvenile Hall Counselor and then advanced to a Probation Officer. Mario also enjoyed his time working as a tax preparer for H&R block and continued preparing tax documents following his retirement from the County.

Mario was a beloved “Papa” and was very involved in the lives of his four grandchildren. He and his wife moved to Corona, California, in January of 2017 to be closer to family. He loved watching sports and was a Los Angeles Dodgers, Rams, and Lakers fan. Mario enjoyed watching action and old western movies and anything with Liam Neeson. He was a fan of music by Johnny Cash, John Denver, and Hank Williams.

His favorite song was “The Impossible Dream” and his favorite Hymn was "How Great Thou Art.” Mario will be remembered for his Love of God, Family, and Country.

Mario was preceded in death by his wife, Pauline Guadalupe Rodriguez, his son, Mario Robert Rodriguez Jr., daughter Rochelle Yvette Rodriguez, father, Manuel Herrera Rodriguez, mother, Josephine Zayas Rodriguez, and his older brother, Manuel Rodriguez.

He is survived by his younger brother, Marco Rodriguez, his daughter, Roxanne Rodriguez Wright, and his son, Kevin John Wright. He is survived by his grandchildren, Jackson Robert Wright and Dakota Rose Wright, Garrison Michael Wright and Jaydin Leah Wright, Elisa Angeline Wright Adams and Matthew Scott Adams, and Ori Phillip Rodriguez. He is survived by his great grandchildren, Peregrine Rose Wright, August Paul Wright, and Ellis Belén Wright.

He was a devout member of the Church of Christ and impacted every soul that he met. He loved to discuss philosophy, religion, politics, and the meaning of life and its trials with anyone who would lend an ear. He leaves behind a trove of books he collected along with the notes he took from his many sermons, communion devotionals, and closing prayers. He is dearly beloved by all who shared a conversation with him and will be deeply missed.

Mario Robert Rodriguez was a resident of Corona, California.

A Funeral Service will be held at Rose Hills Memorial Park - Memorial Chapel, 3888 Workman Mill Rd, Whittier, California 90601, US, on June 5, 2026, from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm.

Burial will take place at Rose Hills Memorial Park, 3888 Workman Mill Rd, Whittier, in the Cherry Blossom Lawn, Gate Number 10, Row 4A, Lot 649, Space 4, on June 5.