Rodolfo Villanueva Vallejos' Obituary
On Tuesday, September 17, 2019, Rodolfo Villanueva Vallejos, loving husband and father of three children, passed away at the age of 74. Rodolfo, or “Rod” as he was mostly commonly known, was born on October 24, 1944 in Balungao, Pangasinan, Philippines to Celestino Navalta Vallejos and Flora Villanueva Vallejos. Rod, and later, his siblings, were raised in Sangilo Mines in Itogon Benguet. He served in the United States Navy from November 9, 1962 to November 23, 1968. For his exemplary six years of service in the U.S. Navy, Rod received the Navy Unit Commendation Ribbon/Bronze Star, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, and the National Defense Service Medal. He received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Accounting from Armstrong College in 1976. While he attended Armstrong College in Berkeley, California, he worked for The Coca-Cola Bottling Company in San Leandro, California. Rod worked for the company for nearly 40 years. Rod was also a business man, and he started Vallejos Tax Service in the mid-1970’s. He was a tax preparer in his business until February 2019. On August 8, 1970, he married Marilyn Mapili Eugenio, daughter of Pedro Garbin Eugenio and Cristina Bautista Mapili Eugenio. They raised two daughters, Kristina and Corinna, and one son, Randall. As a long-time and loyal employee of The Coca-Cola Bottling Company, Rod received several mile-stone gifts, which commemorated his years of service. He was particularly proud to wear the gold jewelry he was awarded, such as a necklace, watch, and ring. As a tax preparer for his business, Vallejos Tax Service, he happily prepared taxes for family, friends, and clients. He was best known for being well-groomed and well-dressed. His hair was perfectly in place, and except for his Coca-Cola uniform, he always wore suits, ties, dress socks, and fancy shoes. He was dressed to the nine for any formal or casual occasion. He was an avid sports fan and enjoyed watching his three favorite professional Bay Area sports teams: San Francisco Forty–Niners, Golden State Warriors, and Oakland Athletics. He was known as a loving and generous Papa to his six grandchildren, whom he always adored, was very proud of, and had smiles for. Rod was an intelligent and quick-witted man who enjoyed meaningful conversations with many people he connected with. Rod was preceded in death by his brothers-in-law Ricardo Gorospe, Sr. and Benidicto Panem, and his father, Celestino Navalta Vallejos, Sr. He is survived by his mother, Flora Villanueva Vallejos; wife, Marilyn Eugenio Vallejos; daughter, Kristina Marlene Vallejos Smith and son-in-law, Terrence Marchand Smith; daughter, Corinna Denise Vallejos Sweet and son-in-law, Christopher Matthew Sweet; son, Randall Eugenio Vallejos and daughter-in-law, Lisa Maria Vallejos; sister, Brenda Vallejos Gorospe; sister, Milagros Vallejos Reyes and brother-in-law, Pedro Vargas Reyes, Jr.; sister, Imelda Vallejos Panem; brother, Celestino Navalta Vallejos, Jr.; six grandchildren, Camaren (18 years old), Corissa (16 years old), Casey (14 years old), Christine (11 years old), Olivia (6 years old), and Leandra (3 years old); and many cousins, nephews, and nieces. A viewing will be held on Friday, September 27, 2019 from 5:00-8:30 PM. The Vigil will be performed on Friday, September 27, 2019 at 6:00 PM. The Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, September 28, 2019 from 1:00-2:30 PM. All services will be held at the Chapel of the Chimes, 32992 Mission Boulevard, Hayward, CA 94544. Donations may be sent to Kristina “Kristee” Vallejos Smith, c/o Santa Clara County Office of Education, 1290 Ridder Park Drive MC 237, San Jose, CA 95131-2304.
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