April 11, 1939 – May 24, 2016

NATCHEZ — Services for Wallace Landy “Rod” Rodriguez, 77, of Natchez, who died and went home to be with his Lord, Tuesday, May 24, 2016, at Adams County Nursing Home, will be 1 p.m. Friday at Laird Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Jeff Brewer officiating.

Burial will follow at Greenlawn Memorial Park Cemetery under the direction of Laird Funeral Home.

Visitation will be from 11 a.m. Friday until time of service at the funeral home.

Mr. Rodriguez was born April 11, 1939, in Natchez, the son of Landy Rodriguez and Aline Breithaupt Rodriguez.

Wallace grew up in Natchez and met the love of his life, Doris Martin, during his childhood. After high school, they were married and lived 58 happy years together. Rod received a football scholarship to Mississippi State University after his graduation and played for four years. During this time he was blessed to become a father to his beloved only child, Chris Aline Horton.

Following college, he returned to Natchez where he worked for International Paper Company for 38 years as an electrician. His career was not just a job to him. He loved his friends at the paper mill and truly enjoyed his time as an electrician.

Wallace had a number of passions in life including his love for the outdoors and hunting. One of Rod’s favorite things was watching nature and spending time at his hunting camp in Port Gibson. He could also be found tinkering with his jeep in the back yard or working in his garden. Most importantly he loved the time he had with his family.

Wallace was a loving and respected husband, father, brother, grandfather and friend to so many people. He had a contagious smile and laugh. He was often known for his humor, jokes and pranks, even in his last days. He had a great work ethic and a most caring gentle heart. His life on earth was filled with laughs, love and unforgettable memories with the ones he loved so dearly.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

He is survived by his cherished wife, Doris M. Rodriguez; one daughter and husband, Skip, of Yazoo City; one granddaughter, Neely Rayner Horton of Yazoo City; one brother, Jerry Wayne Rodriguez and wife, Elaine, of Hempstead, Texas; and two nephews, Jeff Rodriguez and wife, Rosa, and Perrin Rodriguez and wife, Beth, all of Cypress, Texas.

Special thanks to our dear friend, Jerri Dean Minor.

Pallbearers will be Homer Rodriguez, Bill Rhodes, Francis Mullins, David Combs, Robert Dunn, and Danny Martin.

Honorary pallbearers will be Wade Martin, Huey Martin, Burnice Trevillion, and Joe Combs.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to a charity of choice.

Online condolences may be sent to lairdfh.com.