Daniel Rodriguez, 70, born on November 12, 1954, in Guadalajara , Mexico, passed away April 28, 2025. He resided in Sylmar, CA at the time of his passing. Arrangements are under the care of Forest Lawn, Glendale, CA.
Born Daniel Rodriguez Perez, he was the first born to Ramon Rodriguez Santos and Ofelia Perez Chavez. He was an inquisitive and happy child, eager to learn and play. He belonged to a large family filled with cousins, aunts, uncles, and paternal grandparents and would go on to have eight more siblings. He started working at an early age, buffing shoes, shaving ice, bagging groceries and taking all his earnings to his loving and attentive mother. Once school aged he would excel and pursue higher learning in his chosen profession of industrial engineering. All the while he would work at his uncle's hardware store. He quickly became a favorite of the store, running it with ease to the delight of his uncle and there began his life long love of chess, playing his older uncles and neighbors, eventually beating them all even though he was the youngest person there. His love of chess would take him all the way to the Mexican Chess Youth Nationals in Monterrey, Mexico. His formative years in the "facultad" or college years, would forever leave an impression on him, from his love of The Beatles and Creedence Clearwater Revival music, to his studious nature in solving any difficult problem. While working at the hardware store at 16 yrs old, he saw a beautiful girl walking by. Eight years later, upon graduating college as an engineer, he would go on to marry the girl, Maria Estela Ramirez Castillo. That would be the beginning of a new chapter, one that would bring three children; two girls and one boy. He emigrated to Los Angeles in 1985 and one year later his wife and kids would follow him. By 1995 he bought his home in Sylmar and by 1997 he would establish his own contracting business. His eye for detail and respect for craftsmanship earned him lifelong clients and friends. Daniel and Estela raised three kids, seeing them each graduate college and eventually the older two would take over the family business while the youngest traveled to live to Japan and Colorado before settling down in Los Angeles again. His wife donated one of her kidneys when he started to require dialysis at age 59. He would go on to live and prosper another 11 years, thanks to her. He is remembered by his kids as the most hardworking, loving, humble, charming, jovial, intelligent, and patient of fathers. To know him was to love him, effortlessly making meaningful connections with everyone around him. His kind, patient, and generous nature infused everything he did. At work, at play, on job sites, at home. He is also remembered by others as a brother, uncle, friend, mentor, caring boss, and father-in-law. He is survived by his wife, daughters, son, brothers, sisters, and multiple cats.
Daniel Rodríguez, de 70 años, nacido el 12 de noviembre de 1954 en Guadalajara, México, falleció el 28 de abril de 2025. Residía en Sylmar, California, al momento de su fallecimiento. Los trámites están a cargo de Forest Lawn, Glendale, California.
Nacido Daniel Rodríguez Pérez, primogénito de Ramón Rodríguez Santos y Ofelia Pérez Chávez. Era un niño curioso y alegre, con ganas de aprender y jugar. Pertenecía a una familia numerosa de primos, tías, tíos, y abuelos paternos, y tendría ocho hermanos más. Empezó a trabajar desde muy joven: lustraba zapatos, raspaba hielo, empaquetaba comestibles y llevaba todo lo que ganaba a su amorosa y atenta madre. Al llegar a la edad escolar, sobresalió y continuó sus estudios superiores en la ingeniería industrial. Mientras tanto, trabajaba en la ferretería de su tío. Rápidamente se convirtió en uno de los favoritos de la tienda, administrándola con soltura para el deleite de su tío, y ahí comenzó su amor por el ajedrez, que duraría toda la vida. Jugaba contra sus tíos mayores y vecinos, y finalmente los venció a todos, a pesar de ser el más joven. Su pasión por el ajedrez lo llevaría hasta el Campeonato Nacional Juvenil de Ajedrez de México en Monterrey, México. Sus años de formación en la facultad lo marcarían para siempre, desde su amor por la música de The Beatles y Creedence Clearwater Revival, hasta su espíritu estudioso para resolver cualquier problema difícil. Mientras trabajaba en la ferretería a los 16 años, vio pasar a una hermosa chica. Ocho años después, tras graduarse de la universidad como ingeniero, se casaría con ella, María Estela Ramírez Castillo. Ese sería el comienzo de una nueva etapa, una que traería tres hijos: dos niñas y un niño. Emigró a Los Ángeles en 1985 y un año después su esposa e hijos lo seguirían. En 1995 compró su casa en Sylmar y en 1997 estableció su propio negocio de contratación. Su atención al detalle y su respeto por la artesanía le ganaron clientes y amigos para toda la vida. Daniel y Estela criaron a tres hijos, viéndolos graduarse de la universidad y eventualmente los dos mayores se harían cargo del negocio familiar mientras que el menor viajó a vivir a Japón y Colorado antes de establecerse nuevamente en Los Ángeles. Su esposa donó uno de sus riñones cuando comenzó a requerir diálisis a los 59 años. Continuaría viviendo y prosperando otros 11 años, gracias a ella. Es recordado por sus hijos como el padre más trabajador, cariñoso, humilde, encantador, jovial, inteligente y paciente. Conocerlo era amarlo, creando sin esfuerzo conexiones significativas con todos los que lo rodeaban. Su carácter amable, paciente y generoso impregnaba todo lo que hacía. En el trabajo, en sus ratos libres, en la obra, en casa. También es recordado por otros como hermano, tío, amigo, mentor, jefe cariñoso y suegro. Le sobreviven su esposa, hijas, hijo, hermanos, hermanas y varios gatos.
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