Reynaldo Rodriguez of Dallas, Texas passed away August 27, 2020 at the age of 97. He was born on July 4, 1923 to Gilberto Rodriguez and Beatriz (Acevedo) Rodriguez in Kansas City, Kansas. Rey graduated with his bachelor’s degree from the University of Maryland. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Air Force for 33 years and retired as a full Colonel. Rey was a WWII veteran flying 35 missions over Europe. After serving as a Hurricane Hunter, he joined the flight crew of Air Force One, and earned the distinction of being the first Hispanic to serve on its flight crew. He loved navigating! He enjoyed golf, helping people and singing. Rey married Helen West on November 30, 1992 in Santé Fe, New Mexico. He was of Catholic faith.
Rey is survived by his wife, Helen West Rodriguez; son, Michael Rodriguez; daughters, Denise Rodriguez Fedon and Nancy Rodriguez Lynch; sisters, Carmen Garcia and Carmen Rodriguez and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Beatriz and Gilberto Rodriguez and his first wife of 37 years, Frances Louise Edmonson Rodriguez.
A “come and go” visitation was held on Friday, August 28, 2020 at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home.
A funeral with full military honors will be held at a later date in Dallas, in addition to a celebration of life mass in his hometown, Kansas City.