Uncle Memo Rodriguez remembered for love of Texas A&M

The only thing Memo Rodriguez loved as much as dishing out candy and dollar bills to his nieces and nephews was working as an usher at Texas A&M’s Kyle Field.

Manuel M. “Memo” Rodriguez, a former school teacher and banker, left his beloved hometown of Bryan, Texas, briefly to attend Sam Houston University. But he always returned home for his part-time job as an usher at Texas A&M sporting events before settling back in Bryan.

Manuel M. “Memo” Rodriguez, a staple at Texas A&M sporting events for 60 years, died on July 8 surrounded by his family. He was 76. 

“My uncle Memo began working at Kyle Field as a teenager,” said Houston attorney James Rodriguez. “For over six decades he worked all Aggie sporting events all the while becoming the consummate Aggie. He loved all things A&M.”

A funeral Mass will be held for Memo Rodriguez on Tuesday at 11 a.m. at Santa Teresa in Bryan, followed immediately by his burial at Mount Calvary Cemetery.

Memo Rodriguez loved A&M

Although he attended Sam Houston after graduating from Bryan’s Stephen F. Austin High, Memo was a devoted fan of Texas A&M’s football team. He loved all of the Aggies’ teams.

The youngest of five sons to Paul L. and Consuelo M. Rodriguez, Memo never married or had children. He treated his nieces and nephews, though, like his own children. Memo was remembered fondly for his generosity, kind nature and love of the Aggies.

At least 10 of the Memo’s nieces and nephews have graduated from Texas A&M, and more of the Rodriguezes are on their way to Aggieland.

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Paul L. Rodriguez, Memo’s father, worked at A&M for 48 years. Paul’s  brother Pete worked at the university for 52 years. So it’s fair to say Memo saw the university as an extension of the Rodriguez family. 

He became a teacher after graduating from Sam Houston in 1973. Then he went to work as a banker at University National Bank. Despite not saying much and gaining the nickname of “El Mudo,” – The Mute – he even worked as a disc jockey at Bryan’s La Fabulosa, KBMA 99.5 FM.

Devoted uncle

Uncle Memo, though, loved no job more than serving as an usher at Texas A&M sporting events. He was proud to stand with the 12th Man and to pass down his love of the Aggies to his nieces, nephews and grand nieces and nephews.

Memo loved the Aggies and his Catholic faith so much, he often lit candles for the Aggies at his beloved Santa Teresa Catholic Church in Bryan before sporting events.

“He always had gum, candy, and dollar bills for his youngest nieces and nephews, a testament to his generosity and kind nature,” the family said in Memo’s obituary. “He was an encouraging voice who stressed education and took great pride in his nieces’ and nephews’ accomplishments. 

“Uncle Memo made Christmas a special time in the Rodriguez household, ensuring everyone had several gifts. After every midnight Mass, he would make his world-famous hot chocolate. He was a joyous soul with a radiant smile who treated everyone with the utmost respect.”

Memo Rodriguez was such a staple at the family’s renowned Casa Rodriguez Mexican restaurant in Downtown Bryan, he was honored with the popular “El Memo” dish on the menu.

That personality served him well at his second home, Aggieland. He is survived by his older brother Gregory Moncivais Rodriguez and his legion of cousins, nieces and nephews.