Leonel V. Rodriguez, age 64 passed away with his family by his side on Friday, April 28th after surgical complications in Dallas, TX.

Leonel was born on September 15, 1958, to Pablo Rodriguez and Asusena (Vasquez) Rodriguez. He was one of five siblings born and raised in Carlsbad, NM; he attended Carlsbad schools and graduated from CHS in 1977. During his youth, he was an active member of the CYO at San Jose Catholic Church and the Thunderbirds dance group of Native American culture.

In 1976 he met Denise M. Dominguez and they married each other on August 19, 1977. They soon began a family having three strong and handsome boys. Leonel was the epitome of a hard worker and a good provider for his family. He worked and helped his Dad on the family farm, but his true passion was welding. He achieved many welding certifications and most recently was a Master Pipeline Welder and Foreman for JADE Company in the oilfield industry. He truly loved his job and despite his illness, he worked up to the very day he received the call for his surgery.

To know Leonel was to love him, he had never met a stranger. He was always one to make everyone laugh about anything or make a joke out of nothing, and still make you laugh. He was known for making up silly little sayings and yelling them across the room, and everyone would laugh because they knew it was him. To say he was the life of the party at gatherings with family and/or friends is an understatement.

Leonel led his life with a "glass half full" mentality, always looking on the bright side even when times got tough. He loved life, he loved nature and the outdoors, and he was a true patriot that loved his country, always watching the news and hoping for a better future for the younger generations of his family and never taking anything for granted. Sometimes you would see him and Denise cruising the drag in his beloved 1965 Chevrolet Impala that belonged to his father and passed to him. He and his son Shane restored the car back to its original beauty and he always felt so proud when he drove it around town. Every day after a hard day's work, he would find refuge at home changing into his favorite pajama pants, sitting in his favorite recliner, and watching some TV while drinking a tall glass of iced tea. After dinner he'd always save some room for dessert often enjoying his favorite ice cream or a handful of peanut M&Ms. He loved to eat, and aside of Denise's delicious cooking and baking, he loved for his son Shane to cook for him, he savored anything Shane cooked because he knew Shane would spoil him with all his favorites. He also loved and looked forward to his daily visits with "the neighbor", his son Ryan who lives down the street from him, often catching "the neighbor" stealing some peanut M&Ms or food on camera made his heart happy and felt safe that his son was patrolling the streets of Carlsbad and keeping the citizens of Carlsbad safe. He was very proud of his son Taylor for his achievements in the filming industry as he was such a lover of movies.

Everything that he wanted and lived for, for his sons, had come true. He was a great father and the best Po-Po ever! He will be greatly missed by all his family and he takes a piece of our hearts with him to the paradise that is promised to us by God our Father. We all know and believe that we will be reunited with Leonel when our day comes and we will celebrate with him and our other loved ones who have passed in the Glory of God.

Leonel is preceded in death by his father Pablo Rodriguez, paternal grandmother Paula Lopez, maternal grandparents Enrique & Manuela "Nela" Vasquez, father-in-law Frank "Chito" Dominguez, mother-in-law Teresa Dominguez, brothers-in-law Dennis Dominguez & Doug Muniz, and many aunts, uncles, and cousins.

He is survived by his wife Denise M. Rodriguez, son Shane Frank Rodriguez and life partner Sandy Lowry of Ruidoso, NM, son Ryan Paul Rodriguez of Carlsbad, NM, and son Taylor Lance Rodriguez of Albuquerque, NM. His mother Asusena V. Rodriguez of Carlsbad, NM, sister Maria "Teri" Baiza and husband Lee of Mesa, AZ, sister Manuela "Nellie" Hernandez and husband Jr. of Carlsbad, NM, brother Edwardo "Weirdo" Rodriguez and wife Libby of Carlsbad NM, sister AnaLiza Allinson and husband Bret of Prosper, TX, and sister-in-law Cathy Quintela and husband Lando of Hurst, TX. His grandson Shane (BabyShane) Rodriguez of Albuquerque, NM, granddaughters Brooklyn "Mamas" Rodriguez, Hailey "Ooates" Rodriguez, and Avery "Mamas" Rodriguez all of Ruidoso, NM, and many nieces, nephews, and extended family members.

Cremation has taken place and services are pending a later date to be held in Carlsbad, NM.