Antonio “Tony” L. Rodriguez, Rose Vazquez Cooper

Deaths

Antonio “Tony” L. Rodriguez, Rose Vazquez Cooper

Jan 30, 2007

Antonio “Tony” L. Rodriguez

Tony Rodriguez, 77, passed away Saturday, January 27, 2007 in Yuma. He was born November 14, 1929 in Topeka, Kansas.

After being raised in Ramirez, Mexico he traveled to San Benito, Texas at the age of 12 with fifty dollars in his pocket, his birth certificate and a dream to learn to read and write English in his homeland. He completed high school, attended Del Mar College in Corpus Christi, Texas and in 1952 enlisted in the U.S. Army to defend his country during the Korean War.

In 1959, he moved to Yuma with his new bride, Guadalupe (Lupe), and began a new career with the US Government as a civil servant. Throughout his civil service career he worked for both MCAS and YPG and retired in 1985. Tony was a civic and youth minded individual as was demonstrated by his involvement with the American Legion in the early 1960’s that culminated in 1968 with his role as Commander of H.H. Donkersley Post 19. He was bestowed a lifetime membership to the American Legion in the late 1980’s for his spirit of volunteerism. He was an advocate for youth as a leader for the Boy Scouts from 1966 to 1968, even though he didn’t have a son of his own and a member of the St. Vincent de Paul Society. In addition to his volunteer activities, he was actively involved in bowling, golf and billiards, throughout his adult life.

Most folks would enjoy the rest and relaxation of retirement, but not Tony, he still had a dream, yet to be fulfilled, so in 1990 he opened Tony’s Pool Hall, where Yuma’s youth could learn and play the game that he had enjoyed since the age of 12 in San Benito, Texas.

He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Lupe, of Yuma; daughter, Nancy Ann, of Phoenix; sisters, Eva Gallegos, of Harlingen, Texas and Olivia Cisneros, of Brownsville, Texas; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Tony was preceded in death by his brothers, Ruben, Ramiro and Gonzolo.

A wake will be at Kammann Mortuary on Wednesday, January 31, 2007 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Rosary will be at 7 p.m. A funeral mass will be held at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church on Thursday, February 1, 2007 at 10 a.m. Msgr. Richard O’Keeffe will officiate all services.

In lieu of flowers the family would prefer donations be made to Arizona Cancer Center, 1515 N. Campbell Ave. Tucson, AZ 85724, in Rodriquez’s name.

Rose Vazquez Cooper

Rose Vazquez Cooper, 81, born July 12, 1925 in Yuma passed away on Tuesday, January, 23, 2007 in Indio, California.

She was a seamstress, dress designer and operated a private home child care service for 22 years. She was married to the late Kenneth M. Cooper.

Rose was a life member of St. Anthony’s de Puda, our lady of snow, the St. Jude League and a family member for E.W.T.N.

She is survived by her sons, Chris Cooper, of Yuma, Phillip Cooper, of Indio, California; her sister, Dahlia Capelle, of Yuma; and grandson, Mark Cooper, Germany.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Faustino and Susana Vazquez; brother, Jay Vazquez; and her sisters, Margarit Flint and Azucena Lopez.

A visitation will be held Thursday, February 1, 2007 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Yuma Mortuary. Rosary will be recited at 8 p.m. Mass will be at St. Francis of Assisi Church on Friday, February 2, 2007 at 11 a.m. Burial will follow at Desert Lawn Memorial Park in the Holy Cross Section.

Pallbearers will be Frank, David and Eddie Lopez, Chris and Phillip Cooper, Jeanine Bohannon and Felicia Payne.