OBIT-Rodolfo (Rudy) Alaniz Sr.
Rodolfo (Rudy) Alaniz Sr. passed away peacefully at his home in Oak Hill, March 10, 2015. He was born in Mission, in the South Texas Rio Grande Valley on Sept. 21, 1928, the fifth of 13 children. His parents Roque and Sara Alaniz precede him in death. He is survived by his loving wife of 63 years Gloria Araguz Alaniz, children Rosemary Alaniz Vidaurri, Rudy Alaniz Jr., Gloria Alaniz Villasenor, John Alaniz, 12 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren.
Rudy grew up in Mission Texas were he sold newspapers, shined shoes and delivered telegrams while attending the local high school.
He enlisted in the Army on Oct. 1946 at Ft. Houston, after the death of his older brother Ricardo who was killed in action while serving in WW2. Several years later, Rudy escorted Ricardo’s body back to Mission Texas for burial where he presented his mother with his brother’s burial flag. He served in Japan during the Occupation and Reconstruction at the end of WW2. Rudy went on to serve in the Korean War where he received a Purple Heart for wounds he sustained in action. He later enlisted in the Air Force where he served the remaining 22 years of his military career. Rudy received many military medals while serving his country but one of the highlights of his career was touring the Friendship 7 capsule through Central and South America. This was the first American spacecraft to orbit the earth piloted by John Glenn.
He served a second career with the Postal Service, working in the downtown and South Austin Post Offices, retiring in 1989. He was a life member of Military Order of the Purple Heart. He was also a life long member of St. Ignatius Catholic Church in South Austin were he served as an Usher and Greeter.
Rudy’s greatest accomplishment was being an outstanding and devoted husband father and grandfather. His friends and family will truly miss him.
Rodolfo was layed to rest in Austin Texas with full military honors on Monday March 16, 2015, surrounded by friends and family.