Rodrigo Alberto Treviño was born on May 19, 1964 to Rosa María Zamarripa and Lazaro Treviño Ibarra as the youngest of five siblings. His siblings include Maricela, Alma, Martha, and Lazaro the II. In 1966, after the death of his father, Rodrigo moved to the United States with his family.
They settled in San Antonio, Texas. Rodrigo developed his faith and relationship with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ early on at life at the age of twelve when he was baptized and confirmed a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. All those close to Rodrigo and even those that met him in passing can attest to his testimony and the faith he had in living a Christ centered life.
At the young age of 17, Rodrigo suffered the loss of his mother. His mother was a great inspiration to him all his life and whenever he did speak of his mother, Rodrigo spoke of her with great love. Rodrigo graduated high school on May 27, 1982 from John Jay High School. After graduating, Rodrigo was called to serve a full-time mission in Ventura, California in 1983. Approximately 1 year later, he would meet his wife Rossana while serving his mission. After being released from his mission duties, Rod returned to California and has often told the miraculous experience he had with the power of prayer.
When contemplating relocating to California, he explicitly prayed that the Lord would provide a way for him to work, a means of transportation, and a place to live. The next day, he received all three things he had prayed for. This only solidified his building faith in his Heavenly Father. Two years later, Rodrigo married Rossana del Carmen Contreras for time and all eternity in the Los Angeles Temple on December 18, 1987. They were not alone for long as Sara Katerina Treviño was born as their first child about two years later on January 10, 1989. The next year, Rod was diagnosed with diabetes and began his long battle with health and well being. Rod’s small family resided in southern California until the Northridge Earthquake of 1994. This prompted Rod to reevaluate what would be in the best interest of the family. After sending Rossana and Sara on their way to a place that would keep them safe, he worked in Arizona alone for two months and lived out of his truck for two months living off of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and apples.
Despite challenges in his life, Rodrigo has always made the effort to support and provide for his family in any way possible. Shortly thereafter, Athena Isabella Treviño was born on July 28, 1996. In 2012, Rod was diagnosed with kidney failure as a result of both diabetes and medication he was taking to get better from being sick. The same year, he and his family left their first home and began the long road of recovery for his health. Rodrigo took matters into his own hands and made his health his top priority. From walking upwards of 10 miles a day to eating better, Rod slowly but surely improved to a point where he became eligible for a kidney transplant of which he received in January 2014.
The following year, he was able to see Athena graduate from high school and enroll into a university. Shortly after in the same year, Rodrigo bought the last house he would live in with Rossana. In December of 2017, Rod was able to witness his oldest daughter graduate from college. He often spoke of the pride he felt for his daughters pursuing a higher education and taking the opportunity to not take the easy route but rather challenge themselves to be better.
On February 13, 2019, Rodrigo Treviño was hit by a light rail in Phoenix. This prompted a 10 day stay in the Trauma Intensive Care Unit. Sadly, on February 22, 2019, Rodrigo Alberto Treviño died. He is survived by his wife, two daughters, his siblings Maricela, Martha & Lazaro the II, and countless family members and friends.
For all the years in between the milestones of his life, Rod testified of the divinity of Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father. He took the opportunity during his life to step up and be a support not only for his family but also his wife’s family. He had a special love for all of his nieces and nephews as he aspired to be a good father and a good father figure. Whenever he could, Rod took the time to individually call friends and family to express his love and offer what help he could to them in whatever they were going through. He suffered the trials of life with his family and, as consequence, grew even stronger bonds of love within it. Rodrigo’s example serves not only as a fond memory but also as testament to the fulfilling life he lived.
It was with sadness that I heard that Rodrigo had passed. He was my first cousin. I am the daughter of his uncle Humberto C. Zamarripa, Eagle Pass, Texas.
Tia Rosa was was a wonderful person, so kind, so generous that was always positive. Tio Lasarito was a most kind and gentle man that was truly humble. He loved children. His life was so short. I knew him when I was a child but will always remember him. After leaving to live in San Antonio we did not see much of Tia Rosa or the family. I do remember seeing all my cousins at Tia’s funeral.
My most sincere condolences to all his family.
Maria Elena Zamarripa Neeley, Ocala, Florida