Rodolfo “Rudy” or “Fito” Muñoz was called to be with the Lord on Friday, September 16, 2022, at his home in Rio Rancho, NM comforted by loved ones. Rudy was 77 years old. Rudy was born on August 23, 1945, in La Union, NM. He was one of five children of Valentin Muñoz and Herlinda Gonzales. He was raised on a farm near Canutillo, TX with his siblings, Celia, Josefa “Josie”, Beatriz, and Valentin Jr. Rudy graduated from Gadsden High School in 1963 and earned his Bachelor’s in Business Administration at New Mexico State University in 1974. He met fellow Gadsden Panther Roberta Lucero and in 1973 they were married. Rudy is survived by their children, Eugene (Kim), Veronica, and Dominic (Caroline). He has a granddaughter, Jasmine; and step-grandchildren, Jakayla, and Jaeshon. His faithful canine companions, Jewels and Snot are also mourning the loss of his life. Rudy was a veteran of the Vietnam War, serving from April 1966 to February 1972. He worked as an Aviation Electricians Mate being certified as a Flight Crew Plans Captain and earning his Air Crewman’s Gold Wings. For his service, he earned the National Defense Service Medal and the Vietnam Service Medal with Fleet Marine Combat Operations Insignia. He served honorably in the Navy, achieving the rank of Petty Officer Third Class. Rudy lived in Las Cruces, NM most of his life. He had a career as an insurance agent. His hobbies included traveling, photography, and singing in the Voz Vaqueros and the Holy Cross Catholic church choirs. Toward the end of his life, he played a major role in supporting Parkinson’s research and being an advocate for supporting the Alzheimer’s Association. His kind and gentle nature will be deeply missed.
Funeral services for those who wish to attend are as follows:
A Visitation will be held on Tuesday, September 27, 2022, at 5:00 pm with a Rosary to follow at 6:00 pm, FRENCH – Westside.
The Mass will be on Wednesday, September 28, 2022, at 10:00 am, St. Genevieve Catholic Church, 100 S Espina St – Las Cruces, NM 88001.
Procession for burial will follow immediately after mass, at Memory Gardens of the Valley, 4900 McNutt Rd, Santa Teresa, NM 88008.
Donations in his honor are welcome through the Alzheimer’s Association (act.alz.org) or The Parkinson’s Foundation (parkinson.org).
To send flowers
to the family, please visit our floral store.
Published by French Funerals & Cremations – Westside on Sep. 24, 2022.
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