Octavio Rodriguez passed away at home surrounded by family on November 1, 2024.
Born in Granger, Texas, he grew up as a youngster in Washington State. His family moved to Soledad, California, where he would later meet the love of his life, Belinda Daniel. Octavio entered the United States Army in 1971 during the Vietnam War. Octavio and Belinda were married the following year.
Returning to Soledad after his time in Vietnam, Octavio eventually began a career with the California Department of Corrections, beginning at Soledad State Prison. In 1991, Octavio took the opportunity to transfer to Pelican Bay State Prison and begin a new life for his family in Crescent City, California.
Known affectionately as “Smurf” at the prisons, he could often be found in a control tower wearing comfortable and unauthorized black slippers instead of boots. After his retirement, Octavio suffered from heart failure but received the gift of a heart transplant in 1997 and as a result, he lived another twenty-seven years.
Octavio loved music and played in a band with his brothers as a youngster. He would often serenade his family using his beloved bajo sexto guitar. He was a barbecue master and loved to host gatherings at his home where friends and family could enjoy real Texas barbecue. Octavio was a patriot and loved his country and to the end. A big fan of Donald Trump, he could be seen driving his Trump-stickered truck around town, wearing his Trump hat and flying the American flag out front of his house.
More than Donald Trump, Octavio loved Jesus Christ. Octavio knew that the most important thing in this life was where he went after it. Octavio knew his need for the forgiveness of his sins. He put his trust in Jesus’s sin-atoning death in his place and His death-defeating resurrection to save him and give him eternal life. Octavio was a proud member of the Pelican Bay Evangelical Free Church in Crescent City.
Octavio was preceded in death by his wife, Belinda. He is survived by his son, Adan Rodriguez and his wife, Molly; daughter Elena Magee and her husband, Frank; daughter Jennifer Sanchez and her husband, Matt; Grandchildren Felicia Rodriguez, Adan Rodriguez, Jr., Caleb Flores, Benjamin Sanchez, Micah Rodriguez, Grace Sanchez, Elijah Rodriguez, Jeremiah Sanchez, Matthew Sanchez, Jr., Sadie Magee, Penelope Magee and Job Sanchez; and three great grandchildren.
A funeral will be held on Saturday, November 16, 2024, at 11:00am at Pelican Bay Evangelical Free Church. The funeral will be followed by a procession to Wier’s Mortuary Chapel and then a barbeque celebration of Octavio’s life.