Yuma remembers former Council member Rodriguez

City of Yuma Mayor Douglas Nicholls admired Council member Johnny Rodriguez’s contributions both on and off the council in a statement issued ahead of Rodriguez’s funeral this weekend.

Mayor Nicholls spoke dearly of Rodriguez by having the opportunity to be in the same Yuma Rotary group as him.

“Through both his time on the Yuma City Council and as a private citizen, Johnny always put the City of Yuma first, above his personal and business life. He had a long tenure on the Council and saw the City through some big changes, including the hiring of the City’s first-ever female City Administrator. Even after he served on Council, he remained deeply involved in the community and was known as someone who would provide his helpful, experienced insight to businesses and other organizations” said Nicholls.

Rogriguez was appointed to the Yuma City Council in July 1980 to complete a term but was successfully re-elected in 1981, 1985, and 1989 but served as Deputy Mayor in 1984. He ran for Mayor in 1993.

Nicholls continued by saying, “Johnny will also be remembered as one of the friendliest people you would encounter in the City organization. And for years and years, there wasn’t a high school senior boy or a male member of a wedding party who didn’t get their tux from Johnny.”

Rodriguez passed away March 12 and his funeral mass will be taking place at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 27 at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church.

A celebration of life will follow in the church hall for family and friends.