Rudy Rodriguez Lara was born on July 28, 1930 in Lake Field, Jackson County, Minnesota to Thomas Lara and Lenora Rodriguez and passed into his Lord's hands on Sunday, September 22, 2019 in San Antonio, Texas.  He began his education at Our Lady of Perpetual Help and attended Central Catholic High School.  He joined the United States Marine Corp in 1947, serving for 10 years at Marine Corp Air Stations in Santa Ana, CA and Cherry Point, NC, the Naval Air Technical Training Center in Jacksonville, FL and aboard the USS Franklin Roosevelt (CVN42).  He was also a veteran of the Korean War and earned many certificates and awards.  The next 10 years he dedicated his service to the United States Air Force in 1958.  He was stationed at Kelly AFB, Elgin AFB and Lowry AFB before retiring in 1968.  During his military service, Rudy was also a boxer (from 1947 – 1956) and won many awards including the 1949 and 1950 All Navy Boxing Finalist.

After retirement, Rudy started a career in electrical trades and biomedical equipment technology.  He worked for various companies to include Hewlett-Packard, 3M, a civil servant at Kelly AFB, Audie L. Murphy Veterans Memorial Hospital and retiring in 1998 as a Biomedical Supervisor at the VA Outpatient Clinic in Corpus Christi, TX.

Rudy is survived by his beloved wife, Charlotte D. Lara; sons, Thomas Lara and wife Debbie, Charles Lara and wife Laura, Steve Lara, Mike Lara, Vincent Lara, Mark Lara and wife Keri, daughters; Patricia Lara, Julie Juarez and husband Rene; dearly loved former in-laws, Levi Lara, Ray Kapahi and Yolanda Lara.  He is also survived by many cherished grandchildren, great-grandchildren, numerous extended family members and friends.

The Lara family would like to give a special thanks to the Memory Care staff at Brookdale Assisted Living for the love and care given to him.

FUNERAL SERVICES

Visitation will begin on Wednesday, October 2, at 5:00 P.M. with a Rosary to be recited at 7:00 P.M. at the Angelus Chapel.  Funeral Mass will be offered on Thursday, October 3, at 10:00 A.M. at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church.  Interment will follow in Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery with military honors.

MEMORIAL CONTRIBUTIONS

In lieu of flowers, please donate to #TEAMCHLOE at 2019 Jingle Bell Run - San Antonio, TX

https://events.arthritis.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.participant&participantID=138710