Obituary of Julio Pastrano Rodriquez

Julio Pastrano Rodriquez, 87, of Austin, died Monday, September 28 of COVID-19. The tragedy of this contagious virus is not being able to hold a loved one’s hand or stroke their hair as they take that last, precious breath.

Born in Fentress, Texas on a sharecropping ranch March 13, 1933, (the year the Great Depression began) Julio was the first-born son to parents, Mexican immigrant Gregorio, and first-generation Mexican-American, Margarita Rodriquez. His childhood was spent working the fields, learning how to speak English, and how to fix anything that broke, as there was never the money to buy new. Reuse. Repurpose. Renew.

At 16, Julio got Tuberculosis and was sent to a sanitarium. Told he would die; Julio credited his survival to remembering the struggles his resilient Italian and Mexican-Indian relatives had faced and conquered.

Shortly after, he reunited with his family, and they moved to Austin. He enrolled in upholstery school. His best friend was Lupe Garcia, who lived near South Lamar and Treadwell Street. In 1958, with the construction of IH-35, the home Julio lived in was razed. So, he bought the house next door to his compadre (buddy) Lupe. It was also the year he met and married the beautiful U.T. student of nursing, Otila Mares; and began his life as Dad. Eight babies arrived over the next 15 years; so too joyful changes, painful challenges.

Mr. Julio became a master of his craft in the shop he opened behind his four-room house. He refinished and reupholstered furniture for the most prominent families, most successful companies and venerated institutions in Austin. Yet, he never lost his love for “el terreno” (the land) and planting, hunting, fishing…

All of this was small comfort when ‘tila died of breast cancer; age 46. His wounded spirit never recovered. Ancestral stories would again provide a sense of purpose; the Anglo owner of the Fentress ranch marrying a Hispanic woman, who died and was prohibited from resting in the Whites Only cemetery. The man was forced to create a private cemetery on his own land for his beloved. Over time, many other Hispanics were buried there; including Julio’s people. When the cemetery fell into disrepair, the man agreed to sign over the acres on which the cemetery sat, if someone would commit to properly registering and maintaining the site. No one would. Until Compadre Julio did. His fifth-grade education was woefully deficient to the might of bureaucrats and official legalese. Still, he rallied recruits, and raged at the injustices poor people suffer; ever searching for a place to rest in peace. Julio was a diligent steward to the San Isidro Cemetery, “Cementerio San Isidro de la Colonia'' in Fentress, Texas for the rest of his life.

In time, Julio was blessed with the companionship of another lovely lady, Mary DeLeon. And while age and infirmity eventually separated them, the family is eternally grateful to Mary and the grace she extended him.

Julio was a proud and imperfect man. He valued education, his right to vote, and his belief that he was always right.

For a man who never earned a degree, he coveted titles like “Grandpa” Julio uttered by his tacuachinos (dirty little possums) and “Don” Julio spoken with deference by his treasured, in-home caregiver, Violeta.

While the risk of COVID-19 exposure prevented Julio from returning to his home to die, Julio’s request to be buried at the San Isidro Cemetery will be honored.

Julio was preceded in death by his parents, Gregorio Rodriquez & Margarita Pastrano Rodriquez; his wife, Otila Mares Rodriquez; grandson, Isidro Jr., siblings, Domingo Rodriquez, Lorenza Rodriquez Astran; brothers-in-law, Joe Garcia, Felipe Mancha, and Compadre Lupe Garcia.

He is survived by children: Gregorio (Greg) Mares Rodriquez, wife Irene, Lucia "Lucy" Mares Rodriquez, Julio Mares Rodriquez Jr., wife Karen, Twins, Jose (Joey) Mares Rodriquez, Josefina (Josie) Mares Rodriquez, partner Ges, Isidro Mares Rodriquez, wife Priscilla, Twins, Anita (Annie) Mares Rodriquez, and Angelita (Angie) Mares Rodriquez; Grandchildren:  Marissa, John Paul, Andres, Daniel, Julie, Andrew, Sophia, and Gabriella; Great-grandchildren: Paul and Illiana; Sisters: Ramona Rodriquez, Margaret Matias, Nora Garcia, Virgie Rodriguez; Sisters-in-law: Ofelia Mancha, and Angie (Hela) Rodriquez; Brothers-in-law: Jesse Matias and Estevan Rodriguez, and numerous nieces, nephews and other loving family members, compadres and comadres.

Prayers of gratitude to all health-care providers and hospice staff, especially Tiffanie Griffith. Special thanks to Julio’s sobrino (nephew), Patrick Castro, for preparing the gravesite.      

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to either AGE of Central Texas, https://ageofcentraltx.org/index.php/get-involved/donate/  or St. Gabriel Hospice at 1100 North East Loop 410, Suite 200, San Antonio, TX 78209.  Please note in the memo line of the check: In Memory of Julio P. Rodriquez. 

Visitation, Rosary, and Mass are private. Thank you all for your understanding and support. A public, celebration-of-life service is planned for March 2021, Julio’s birth month.

Recitation of the Holy Rosary will be live-streamed at 6:00 on Sunday, October 4, 2020.  Please see the link below for information on accessing live-stream.

Please visit www.missionmemorials.com to share a memory of Julio and offer condolences to the family.

Services will be live-streamed to allow those unable to attend to participate. 

 Follow the link to Facebook Live Mission - East Side

Due to the Coronavirus /  COVID-19 Restrictions from the City of Austin,

capacity levels are restricted at funeral homes, churches, and cemeteries.

Each person entering the funeral home, church, and cemetery will be required to wear a mask

and to practice social distancing of 6 feet or more.   If you are ill or are concerned about the virus,

it is recommended that you not attend services. 

The family is so grateful to everyone for their understanding, love, and support

during this very difficult time.