Rodolfo "Rudy" Delgado Fernandez

Rodolfo "Rudy" Delgado Fernandez, age 80, went to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, while surrounded by his loving family, here in Del Rio. Rodolfo “Rudy” Delgado Fernandez was born January 11, 1945, to Rosa Delgado Fernandez and Julian R Fernandez in San Antonio, Texas. Shortly thereafter, he and his family moved to Kenedy, Texas, where his father worked for Mr. George Tips. There, Rudy’s father worked on Mr. Tips’ ranch, rising to the level of ranch foreman. Rudy learned to work on the ranch from the age of five. He attended school in Kenedy and graduated in 1963 from Kenedy High School. He worked as a herder and cattle wrestler before school and returned to work on the ranch after school. He never missed a day of school from kindergarten to college. Rudy enjoyed his years at Kenedy High School and excelled at baseball. His dream was to go on to college to play collegiate baseball. However, he lived in a world where Jim Crow laws also applied to Mexican Americans. When he expressed interest to his high school guidance counselor, he was told college was not for Mexicans and refused to help him apply for admissions and scholarships. Unfazed, Rudy decided to attend Southwest Texas Junior College in Uvalde, Texas. While there, he was heavily involved in extracurricular activities and participated in many academic clubs all while working three jobs to pay his way through school. When signing up to be a member of the Catholic youth organization, he met a young lady from Del Rio, Texas, named Rosa Maria “Rosie” Peimbert. Their friendship began through their mutual love of music and dance. Eventually, they fell in love and married in March of 1965. After the birth of their first daughter, Rudi Zelin, they moved to Alpine, Texas, where he obtained a Bachelor of Science and Education from Sul Ross University. He and Rosie moved back to Del Rio in 1969 where he began his teaching career as a fourth grade teacher for the San Felipe School District. He and Rosie had three more children, Rai Zina in 1969, Sally Loren in 1971, and Julian Burnell in 1973. In 1971, he became the inaugural Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA) teacher at Del Rio High School in the newly formed San Felipe Del Rio Consolidated Independent School Distrct (SFDRCISD). He would spend the remaining 37 years of teaching, directing this program. Under his tutelage, his students would go on to compete at area, district, state, and national competitions, receiving awards at every level every year. He was even fortunate enough to help his granddaughter, Alyssa Kathryn, rise to compete at the state level. In his 40s, he returned to Southwest Texas State University where he obtained his postgraduate certification in Education. In his 38 years of tenure, his spectacular achievement in the program was only matched by the love he had held for his students. He would often become their mentor and instill in them a desire to further their own education. Many of his students went on to earn their bachelors, masters, and doctoral degrees. After retirement, Rudy continued to serve SFDRCISD as a substitute teacher for at least 10 more years. Teaching was in his blood, and he never turned his back on any opportunity to help when needed. In addition to being an educator, Rudy worked for the school district as a bus driver and even worked as a chief cook for many local restaurants over a span of 20 years. While he never played baseball in college, he played in veteran baseball leagues every Saturday and Sunday with his friends and colleagues for more than 30 years. He even played in leagues in Mexico, where he was recognized for decades of dedication to the game of baseball. His passion greatly influenced his grandson, Jorge Alejandro, who went on to play collegiate baseball at Texas State University, San Jacinto College, and San Diego State University on full scholarship. The role he truly cherished was being a grandfather. Rudy was blessed with 11 beautiful grandchildren and six great grandchildren. He instilled in them the importance of education and hard work. Eight of his grandchildren have received bachelors degrees, with one grandson and one great daughter in the process. Two grandchildren have obtained Masters degrees with one in the process. His eldest great grandson is on course to become a Boy Scouts of America Eagle Scout. Rudy attended the high school and college graduations of all his grandchildren all over the states of Texas and California, even in the country of Brazil. Remembering when he was denied the opportunity to apply for colleges, he watched as his progeny proudly accepted their accolades in his name and presence. Throughout his life, Rudy devoted a great number of decades using his culinary skills to support local causes by cooking barbeque plates for charitable organizations, such as the American GI Forum, Faith Church, and booster clubs. He was a lifetime member of the American GI Forum and raised tens of thousands dollars for their benefit. Never one to shirk hard work, Rudy would return to his hometown of Kenedy to chop wood and travel back to Del Rio with a trailer full of perfectly chopped live oak, pecan, and mesquite to donate for these benefit fundraisers. After the death of his wife and best friend, Rosie, Rudy's health began to decline. However, he never stopped his fight to live. He performed peritoneal dialysis in his home for an unprecedented, unbelievable six years. Most cases only last two years. It was during the end of the six years that his second daughter, Rai Zina, became his primary caregiver. She and her husband, Jorge, opened their home as a place to recuperate and heal. Rudy’s youngest grandson, Jorge Stewart, cultivated a precious environment and lovingly tended to his grandfather. Simultaneously, they remodeled his home with the hope he would get well enough to return to live out his final years. Rai Zina’s faithfulness as a daughter and sole caregiver contributed to the quality of care that prolonged his life an additional two years. They not only tended to Rudy’s physical needs, but to his spiritual needs as well by helping him find his way to God. It was in their home that Rudy received Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior, repented of his sins and was water baptized in Jesus’ name. He enjoyed the final months of his life as a new man in Christ, praying and reading his Bible daily. While his health continued to decline, his faith only grew stronger. On Monday, September 22nd, he passed away peacefully surrounded by his loved ones. Rudy left this world free of sin and ready to meet his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He lived a life of service, impacting the lives of thousands of his students who would become doctors, lawyers, business owners, teachers, engineers, funeral directors among many other professions. The world has lost a great man, perfect in his imperfections, and ultimately a man of God. He is mourned by his friends, colleagues, and most especially, his family, the family he was used for by his wife (personal family joke).Preceding him in death were his parents, Rosa and Julian R. Fernandez (Kenedy, TX); wife, Rosa Maria Peimbert (Del Rio); and sister, Hortencia F. Rios (Runge, TX); Family members left to cherish his memory include his children: Rudi Z. Gutierrez (Doug Humphreys) of Del Rio; Rai Z. Berton and husband Jorge O. Berton of Del Rio, Sally L. Gonzalez and husband Henry Gonzalez of Lima, Peru, Julian B. Fernandez and wife Gabriela Treviño-Fernandez of Del Rio, and Jeremy L. Fernandez (Cassie Danielle Garza) of San Antonio, TX; brother, Juan Manuel "Pepe" Fernandez and wife Hilda Fernandez of Del Rio; grandchildren: Alyssa Kathryn Gutierrez, Jaime Javier Gutierrez Jr., Joseph Salvador Gutierrez, Zelina Rai Buchanan (Brittany Buchanan), Jakob Rodolfo Berton, Jorge Stewart Berton, Annalissa Loren Franco (Oscar Franco), Larrissa Loren Gonzalez, Justin Henry Gonzalez (Abigail Gonzalez), Jorge Alejandro Fernandez, and Julyann Zelin Fernandez; great grandchildren: Kaitlyn Franco, Amber Franco, Marzelo Lorenzo Bosquez-Gutierrez, Cielo Bastian Fernandez, Benny Grayson Buchanan, and Gianna Mercy Gonzalez (coming soon...); Rudy is also survived by many other close relatives, friends and colleagues. Visitation will be held on Thursday, September 25, 2025 from 6 to 9 p.m. in the Trinity Chapel of Faith. A prayer service will begin at 7 p.m. A chapel service is scheduled for Friday, September 26, 2025 at 10 a.m. in the funeral home chapel. Officiating will be Pastor T. Wayne Richardson from Faith Church. A farewell tribute will take place at 131 Ridgewood Dr. at 12:00 noon Gravesides services will be held on Saturday, September 27, 2025 at 10 a.m. at Loma Alta Cemetery, 100 CR 329, Kenedy, Texas 78119. Officiating will be Pastor David K. Caruthers from Calvary Church, of San Antonio, Texas. The Fernandez Family wishes to thank Del Rio Hospice for the excellent care of their father. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Del Rio Hospice. Funeral arrangements are under the care and direction of Trinity Mortuary, 206 Kings Way, Del Rio, TX 78840 (830) 775-2230. Tradition. Tribute. Trust.

Rodolfo "Rudy" Delgado Fernandez

January 11, 1945 - September 22, 2025