Victor Rodriguez

Victor Rodriguez, Jr. of Emporia died on Wednesday, December 13, 2023, at his home.  He was 55.

Vic was born on March 20, 1968, in Emporia, Kansas, the son of Victor, Sr. and Mary Duran Rodriguez.

Surviving family member:  Mother, Mary Rodriguez of Emporia.

He is preceded in death by his father and sister Amanda Juana Rodriguez.

Cremation has taken place and a celebration of his life with a Mass of Christian burial will be on Friday, January 19, 2024, at St. Catherine Catholic Church, 205 S. Lawrence St., Emporia, Kansas, Rosary at 11:00 a.m., Mass at 11:30 a.m., followed by inurnment at Sacred Heart Cemetery.

Vic graduated from Emporia High School, attended ESU and then transferred to the University of North Texas in Denton, Texas majoring in music, which was his passion.  He started his music career at the age of 7 as the drummer for the family band, La Raza.  Through the years he also played with Spirit Group, Unidos, Between the Lines, Los Amigos as well as choirs in church and sitting in with numerous other groups and bands locally and in Texas.  He was an accomplished drummer and for years was also a private music instructor teaching drums, guitar and keyboard.  He loved all kinds of music but preferred jazz, Christian music and Musica Tejana which he played in his radio show.  After moving back home in 1994 he became the host of Nuestra Musica Radio Show on KVOE since he had gained experience as a DJ on KNTU while at UNT.  His Nuestra Musica Radio Show was on many stations throughout the United States and became syndicated nationwide and eventually internationally to the UK.  He was inducted into the Tejano Roots Hall of Fame in 2022 and was honored by the Latinos Awards Adelante in 2023.

With the help of his Sister, Amanda, he was the founder of the Las Casitas Association, dedicated to exposing the cultures of the Hispanic community and the preservation of the Las Casitas Park.  He was always thinking and planning events to celebrate, share, and enjoy his Mexican heritage.  Together with his sister they held very successful Cinco de Mayo Fiestas for several years and he had just started the 16th of September Fiesta last year.

Vic was easy going, funny, caring, helpful, a great Godfather to his Godson, Sergio, loved God, his family, church, life and music. He was a loving and caring son and brother and missed his sister and father very much.  He took on the role of protector of his mother and sister after the death of his father and was also a wonderful” papa to his two fur babies, Pedito and Princess. He was always ready and willing to help his church, friend and the community with whatever was needed. He was in the Catholic Charities Board for several years and was also active in the Democratic Party in Emporia.  He helped many musicians and DJ’s with equipment, instruments, advise and encouragement.  Because of health issues and being in a wheelchair he was no longer able to get to the radio station and worked from home for the last few years, taping his shows and sending them in to KVOE as well as to many other radio stations.  With much difficulty and struggle he still DJed a few events every year.  His radio show and DJing kept him grounded and close to music as much as possible since he really missed playing.

Memorial contributions to the Saint Catherine Catholic Church, hall fund, or Amanda J. Rodriguez Hispanic Community Memorial fund can be sent in care of Roberts-Blue-Barnett Funeral Home, PO Box 175, Emporia, Kansas 66801