With heavy hearts, we share the passing of Jose Fernando Rodriguez of Tampa, FL.
These pages are a small offering toward a much larger life.
What remains is what was loved.
Jose Fernando Rodriguez, a man of resilience, faith, and unwavering devotion to his family, passed away leaving behind a legacy that will live on in every life he touched.
Born to Zenón and Clotilde "Ita" Rodríguez, Jose's story was one marked by sacrifice from an early age. At just 15 years old, he was drafted into the Cuban military and remained on the island alone so that his parents and siblings could come to the United States in search of a better life. During those years of separation, he found his faith, something that would become his anchor and guide through every chapter that followed.
Jose courageously made his journey to freedom during the Mariel boatlift, determined to build a life defined by opportunity and purpose. He eventually made his home in Tampa, Florida, where he found the love of his life, his beautiful wife, Lourdes. Together, they built a family rooted in strength, love, and perseverance.
Jose was a welder by trade, but to those who knew him, he was an artist. His signature scroll ironwork can still be seen throughout West Tampa, quiet, lasting pieces of his craftsmanship that continue to stand as part of the community he helped shape. Even the home he built from the ground up became a symbol of his dedication, providing a place where his family could grow, gather, and create lifelong memories.
He was a storyteller at heart, known for sharing memories of the "good old days," often with a little embellishment, just enough to make everyone laugh a little harder. His stories were never just stories; they were moments, brought to life in a way only he could.
Jose also had a deep love for travel and adventure. While raising his children, he made it a tradition that there would never be a summer or winter break without a trip. With nothing more than a packed car and a AAA guidebook in hand, he would simply say, "Let's go." His goal was to see all 50 states, and he proudly made it to 46, creating countless memories along the way.
Above all else, Jose will be remembered for his strength, his sacrifices, his faith, and his deep love for his family. His life was not always easy, but it was meaningful, and it was his.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Zenón and Clotilde "Ita" Rodríguez; his brother Jorge Rodríguez and Jorge's wife Julie Butler; his brother-in-law Brent Reynolds; and his grandson Ben. He is survived by his wife Lourdes; his son José Jr. and daughter-in-law Elva; his daughter Raquel and son-in-law Kris; his grandchildren Caleb and Frankie; his siblings María Elena, Zenón, and Carie; and many beloved nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and great-nephews.
We believe the road is not finished, he'll make it to see the missing 4 states in a new world where "grief and sighing will flee away." (Isaiah 35:10)
- Lourdes, José Jr., and Raquel
