Pedro "Pete" Rodriguez

Mr. Pete Rodriguez passed away at his home which he shared with his daughter Ramontha and son-in-law, Fernando on East Sheepskin Rd in Fort Hall on July 21, 2019. He was born in Pocatello, Id on January 7, 1932 to Pedro Rodriguez Sr and Adelina Chacon Rodriguez. He lived most of his life in the Fort Hall/Pocatello area. But he had many childhood memories of living in Santa Ana, Calif with his Tio, Antonio Rodriguez. His Tio was like a father to him.

In 1949 he married Viola Matsaw and together they had 10 children: Eddy, Linda, Debra, Louie, Phillip, Valerie, Nick, Vickie, Juan and Ramontha.

He received an honorable discharge for his service in the Air Force 1951-1953.

Pete worked hard starting at an early age moving sprinkler pipe for Kracaw, driving truck for Garret and many other labor jobs; he also worked for the Railroad until they found out his age. In 1962, he began working for JR Simplot at the Gay Mines in Ross Fork starting at the Crusher and soon driving heavy equipment. When the mine closed in 1993, he reluctantly took an early retirement.

Pete enjoyed going to the "old" Fort Hall casino where he spent a lot of time visiting, having breakfast or just coffee with his buddies, Kilburn, Don and Jesse; but he never gambled. He enjoyed going to the yearly Sho Ban Festival where he had the chance to visit with his many friends especially Colin Calico, his long-time friend, who was more like a son to him. He enjoyed cruising on his pickup and putting around on his tractor, taking care of his yard and his dog, Peppe.

Pete is survived by his sons, Nick (Monica) Rodriguez, Juan (Carlita) Rodriguez and daughters, Linda Osborne, Debra Lisa Rodriguez, Valerie Gail Rodriguez, Vickie Lee (Bruce) Baldwin, Ramontha (Fernando) Martinez; brothers, Antonio Rodriguez, Raymond Rodriguez and Robert Rodriguez; a sister, Mary McCullum; a special granddaughter, Aleena Hernandez and numerous other grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Viola Matsaw Rodriguez, his parents, his Tio, sons, Edward Pete "Eddy" Rodriguez, Mario Luis "Louie" Rodriguez, Pedro Felipe "Phillip" Rodriguez, his daughter, Antonia Rodriguez-Blackhawk, a grandson, two great-grandsons, two brothers and two sisters.

A memorial service will be held at 6:00 p.m., Tuesday, July 23, 2019 at Wilks Funeral Home, 211 W. Chubbuck Road, with Military Rites provided by American Legion Post #23, from Blackfoot, ID. Inurnment will be held privately at the Matsaw Cemetery next to his wife and sons.

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