Manuel M. "Memo" Rodriguez

On July 8, 2024, Manuel M. "Memo" Rodriguez peacefully departed to be with the Lord at his home in Bryan, Texas, surrounded by his family at the age of 76.

Known to friends and family as "Uncle Memo" or simply Memo, he was everyone's uncle. Born and raised in Bryan, Texas, he was the youngest of five brothers to Paul L. and Consuelo M. Rodriguez. Memo graduated from Stephen F. Austin High School in Bryan, Texas, and went on to earn his degree from Sam Houston State University in 1973.

After graduation, Memo became a schoolteacher and later worked as a banker for University National Bank for many years. He also worked as a disc jockey for his brother Gregory’s radio station, KBMA 99.5 La Fabulosa in Bryan, Texas. He was known as Memo “El Mudo” or “The Mute” for his lack of desire to speak while on the air. It was on the radio that Memo showed his wide range of musical tastes from boleros to romantic ballads to Tejano classics creating quite the following. He loved all types of music including R&B, Soul, Funk, Country, Sinatra and Neil Diamond to name a few.

However, his favorite job was working at Texas A&M for over 60 years as an usher, a role he began as a teenager. Like many in the Rodriguez family, Uncle Memo devoted his life to Texas A&M University, a love instilled in him by his father Paul L. Rodriguez, his Uncle Pete Rodriguez, and his brothers. For over six decades, Uncle Memo worked thousands of Aggie sporting events, and although he didn't attend A&M, he became the biggest Aggie of them all. He was and will forever be the 12th Man, passing on his love of everything Aggie to his nieces and nephews.

Uncle Memo was a lifelong member of Santa Teresa Catholic Church and a devout Catholic dedicated to his faith. He was known to light candles for Aggie games and kept hundreds of candles in his room for his family altar.

Although Uncle Memo never married or had children, his greatest joy was his numerous nieces and nephews, upon whom he bestowed gifts whenever he saw them. He always had gum, candy, and dollar bills for his youngest nieces and nephews, a testament to his generosity and kind nature. 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 became a fixture at his family’s restaurant, Casa Rodriguez in Downtown Bryan. So much so, that he created the popular and highest selling dish “El Memo”. He had a penchant for spicy food and loved his Mother Chelo’s cooking, that was featured at the restaurant. 

Memo is survived by his brother Gregory Moncivais Rodriguez, numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, Paul L. and Consuelo M. Rodriguez, and his brothers Paul Rodriguez Jr., Richard M. Rodriguez, and Fred M. Rodriguez.

The family would like to thank the many people who lifted up Uncle Memo in prayer during this difficult time. They are also especially grateful to Allumine Hospice, his niece Rosie Meredith Rodriguez, and Marbely Sanchez.