Santiago Gamez Rodriguez

Santiago “Jim” Gamez Rodriguez of Waukesha, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully at home on September 27, 2025, at the age of 90. Born on November 17, 1934, in Texas, he was the son of Sotico and Valentina (Gamez) Rodriguez. Jim was known for his remarkable ability to repair almost anything. He had a passion for riding his motorcycle and enjoyed staying active by working out at the gym. His enthusiasm for life was reflected in his love for cowboy movies, playing baseball, camping, and traveling with his fiancée, Josephine “Jo” Chacon. A dedicated lifelong learner, Jim recently took up learning the guitar and proudly earned his high school diploma at the age of 69. He will be remembered as a kind and friendly man, a great storyteller who could engage anyone in conversation. Above all, Jim treasured his family, who were the center of his life and the source of his greatest joy. Jim leaves behind a legacy of love, laughter, and cherished memories. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

He will be sadly missed by his fiancée and companion the last 28 years, Josephine “Jo” Chacon; his children, Santiago G. Rodriguez Jr., Christina (Harold) Gerber, Gerald (Cynthia) Rodriguez, Richard (Dorothy) Rodriguez, Karen Clark, Robert (Cindy) Rodriguez, Catherine (Bill) Grosskreutz, Marjorie (Josh Wagner) Beeman, Constance (Chris) Perl, James (Katie) Rodriguez and Susette Sawyer; his fiancée Jo’s children, Ernesto Chacon, Deborah (Rickey) Mcallister and Thomas Chacon, 40 grandchildren, 54 great-grandchildren and 15 great-great-grandchildren. He is further survived by his brothers and sisters, Connie (the late Demencio) Alvarez, Alicia (the late Jesus) Romero, Marcelina (the late Samuel) Beltran, Emma Rodriguez, John (Terri) Rodriguez, Josephine Rodriguez and James (Leticia) Rodriguez, sister-in-law Irma Rodriguez, along with many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his wife Mary Louise Rodriguez, daughters, Cindy Goelzer and Christine Klunk, siblings, Blasa (Joe) Campos, Hiliaria (Victor) Garcia, Celedonia (Eddie) Rojas, Lorenza (Jesus) Hernandez and Sotico Paul Rodriguez and beloved dogs, Chewli and Omar.

Visitation will be held at Randle-Dable-Brisk Funeral Home, 1110 S. Grand Ave., Waukesha on Thursday, October 2, 2025 from 3:00 p.m. until the 7:00 p.m. funeral service. Burial will be on Friday, October 3rd at 1:00 p.m. at Woodlawn Cemetery, 1520 County Road C, Plymouth, WI 53073. Please meet at the cemetery (Rollinglawn section).