It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved
husband, dad, and Papa, Lee Rodriguez, who left us too soon on Sunday, March
30, 2025. He was a loyal, loving, and devoted husband to his wife Terre, father
to his two children, David and Leigh, and son-in-law Aaron, and Papa to
Jillian, Cole, and Delaney. He had an abundantly generous soul — a friend to
all who knew him. His kindness and warmth touched the lives of so many, and his
absence will be felt deeply by family, friends, and all who had the privilege
of knowing him.
Lee Rodriguez was born in Los Angeles, California. Growing up, he became
known for his generous nature, his ability to make everyone feel welcome, his
impeccable dance skills, and his amazing sense of style. He quickly fell in
love with our mom, Terre, in the 8th grade, and they knew their love was
eternal. They married on June 27, 1966. When our dad turned 18, he became a
proud and honorable Vietnam War U.S. Army soldier. He served his country with
distinction, dedication, and courage. His time in the U.S. Army was marked by
the same values that defined his entire life: service, sacrifice, and a deep
sense of duty. Those who knew him understood the strength and resilience he
carried from those years. His patriotism and commitment to his country remained
an important part of who he was, and his service is a lasting testament to his
character and love for his fellow Americans and our great country.
A man of great character, our dad was loved by all who knew him. He had a
heart of gold and never hesitated to offer a helping hand or a kind word to
those in need. If you needed a helping hand, he would say, “Here, I have two.”
His infectious smile and warm greeting could light up any room, and his
presence was a constant source of comfort and joy to everyone around him —
especially his adoring family.
To celebrate our dad’s life is to celebrate a man whose spirit shone
through in everything he did. He believed in living with purpose, in the
importance of kindness, and in the power of making others feel valued. Whether
it was a small, everyday gesture or a larger act of generosity, he always found
a way to give — not just material things, but his time, his attention, and his
unwavering support. He was someone who truly made the world a better place just
by being in it. His laughter, his stories, his wisdom, and the love he gave so
freely will remain in the hearts of all who loved him. He was a dad and grandpa
to many — he always loved those titles.
In
addition to his family, our dad was cherished by countless friends. He had a
brilliant and entrepreneurial mind and possessed an innate ability to solve
problems with creativity and insight, often finding solutions others would
overlook. His intellectual curiosity was boundless. He was a true “people
person.” In his retirement, he volunteered his time for 25 years at Pomona
Valley Hospital Medical Center and loved being a part of the PVHMC family. He
believed in the goodness of people and was always ready to lend a hand to
others. His generosity knew no bounds, and his legacy will live on in the many
lives he touched.
He was
most proud to be a dad and a Papa. He lived to make them happy and would beam
with pride at all their accomplishments. They always knew how much they were
loved, and we take comfort knowing he knew how much he was loved in return. He
gave them the world and demonstrated what unconditional love not only looked
like, but felt like. They always knew he was there to guide, teach, and support
them. Although it was too short, they cherish and thank God for every moment
they were given. He was truly one in a million. He never let a moment go by
without saying, “I love you,” and it was always followed by, “I love you more.”
Our
beautiful dad is survived by his adoring and devoted wife of 57 years, Terre;
his son, David Lee Rodriguez; his daughter, Leigh Cornell, and her husband,
Aaron Cornell; along with his grandchildren, Jillian Cornell (20), Cole
Rodriguez (19), and Delaney Cornell (19). While we deeply mourn his loss, we
will carry his legacy and his light with us for our remaining days.
A funeral service to celebrate a life of warmth and love will be held at
Holy Name of Mary Catholic Church, San Dimas, CA on Monday, May 19, 2025 at 9:30
a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Pomona
Valley Hospital Medical Center Auxiliary Sick Baby Fund.
Though he is no longer with us, we can still hear him in our minds, hearts
and his spirit will remain with us forever.
We love you more Papa!
When I go,
don’t learn to live without me,
just learn to live with my love,
in a different way.
And if you need to see me,
close your eyes,
or look in your shadow,
when the sun shines,
I’m there.
Sit with me in the quiet and you will know,
that I did not leave.
There is no leaving when a soul is blended with another.
When I go,
don’t learn to live without me,
just learn to look for me in the moments.
I will be there.
By Donna Ashworth
