Gregorio Rodriguez-Lira Sr.

Weslaco: Gregorio "Goyo" Rodriguez-Lira, 77, passed away on Thursday, December 29th, 2022, at DHR in Edinburg. Gregorio was born on November 17th,1945, to Luis Rodriguez and Emilia Lira in Rio Bravo, Tamaulipas (Mexico). He met and later married his wife, Maria De La Paz, after being introduced to each other by their respective siblings in Rio Bravo. Gregorio and Maria have been inseparable ever since. They immigrated to the United States in 1968 and quickly started a family of their own after settling in the Rio Grande Valley. Gregorio believed in the American dream and that you could accomplish anything through hard work, a good education, and grit.
Gregorio's health forced him into retirement in the early 2000s, and he and Maria spent the rest of their lives in Weslaco. Gregorio still worked odd jobs, mainly landscaping and handy work for neighbors and friends. His lifelong work was also his hobby, he spent most of his free time working in the yard and gardening.

When Gregorio wasn't working outdoors, he enjoyed watching as many soccer matches as he could fill his afternoons with. He developed a passion for the game as a child when he played goalie and was one of the best in his sport - at least according to the stories he told his kids when he reminisced about his glory days in the old ‘barrio’.

Gregorio and Maria were able to travel after they retired. They saw Spain for the birth of a grandchild, visited Chicago and Iowa for family gatherings, and enjoyed many stops in between. As a result of these trips and working as migrants, they saw many places beyond the Valley throughout their lives.

Gregorio enjoyed watching action-packed war movies, preparing (and sharing) a good meal, satisfying his sweet tooth with chocolate treats, and attending church on a regular basis.

Gregorio was a selfless man of deep Christian faith. He was generous, endlessly supportive, and indeed a benevolent soul, with just the right amount of humor when needed. He loved to listen to music and sing Christian hymns, a valuable habit that helped him through his workday and chores.

Gregorio is preceded in death by his parents, Luis Rodriguez and Emilia Lira, his son, Luis A. Rodriguez, and his brother, Jesus Rodriguez.

He is survived by his loving wife, Maria De La Paz Rodriguez, daughter, Iliana Rodriguez (Carlos Matesanz) of Chicago; sons, Ernesto Rodriguez (Yoanna) of Weslaco, Oscar Rodriguez (Julissa) of Iowa, Gregorio "Greg" Rodriguez Jr. (Maria Cristela) of Weslaco, and Robert Rodriguez of Weslaco; brothers, Efrain Rodriguez, Jose Luis Rodriguez, and Ruben Rodriguez; sisters, Lupita Rodriguez, Evangelina Estrada, Olga Rodriguez, and Ninfa Rodriguez, many grandchildren, great grand-children, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation and life celebration will be Wednesday, January 4th, 2023, from 1-7 pm at McCaleb Funeral Home, followed by private cremation.