Anthony "Tony" Rodriguez, of Toledo, Washington, left this earth to meet his Maker on Saturday evening, December 27, 2025. He faced several serious health challenges in recent months, but a rapidly spreading cancer based on his exposure to Agent Orange during his Naval deployment to Vietnam finally defeated him and took Tony away from his loving family and friends. He passed away at Centralia Providence Hospital surrounded by medical staff and family. Tony will be remembered for his unwavering dedication to his family, his service to his country, and his generous spirit.

Tony was born on July 23, 1943 in Wapato (Harrah), Washington, the youngest of 8 children of Catarino and Cleo Rodriguez. The family moved to Centralia where he attended Lincoln Grade School and continued to Centralia High School. In 1960 he joined the US Navy and attended the Aviation Ordinance and Weapons School in Jacksonville, Florida; this led him to tours of duty in the South China Sea, the majority of time off the coasts of South Korea and South Vietnam on the Navy aircraft carriers USS Bon Homme Richard (CV 31) and the USS Hancock (CV 19). During his time in the Navy he married Donna Grant, also from Centralia, and in 1963 had a baby son, Anthony Lee Rodriguez, Jr. The next year Tony completed his 4 years of active duty and was Honorably Discharged as a Vietnam Veteran, which in later years, came with the warnings of his extreme exposure to Agent Orange.

Returning home to Centralia, he worked in the construction field as a laborer for 4 years, and adding a new baby girl, Tammy, to the family in 1967. He then attended Olympia Carpenters Training Institute as an apprentice for 4 years and received his Journeyman's diploma. That took him to work as an Union Carpenter in Pierce and Lewis Counties for 14 years. The last 10 years as Supervisor, Foreman, or Project Manager of multi-million-dollar projects both locally and overseas, he was responsible for as many as 2,000 workers, cost estimates, and the scheduling work for all types of crafts.

In 1980 he turned to local Law Enforcement, graduating from the Washington State Law Enforcement Academy. He worked for the City of Chehalis Police Dept, Chief of Police of Mossyrock, Washington, and a police officer in in the towns of Napavine, Toledo, Pe Ell, and Winlock, and several years with the Lewis Country Sheriff Office, which brought unexpected job duties when Mt. St. Helens erupted. He was an active member of the Lewis County Dept of Emergency Services Underwater Rescue Unit in conjunction with the Sheriff's office, and spent 6 years as an active member in the Lewis County Sheriff's Reserve Unit, 2 of those years as Assistant Director and Director, as well as road Deputy. Tony received numerous commendations from the FBI, Lewis County Sheriff's office, and other local law agencies for his outstanding work regarding drug trafficking along Hwy 12.

He received his Associates Arts Degree in Law Enforcement and in 1983 ran for Lewis County Sheriff. When that election was unsuccessful, Tony answered a call from Clallam County and worked in their law enforcement. While in Clallam Country, Tony remarried and became Dad to Joshua, Justin, and Jenny Williams.

It didn't take long for him to hear the 'call of the wild' in that very northern territory of our state. That, mixed with his immense ability to befriend anyone, he made a deal with the Native Americans and in 1988 opened Westwind Resort, a Charter Fishing and RV camp. It was located on the Makah Reservation and was a huge success with fishermen and families coming from across the country to test their fishing skills and enjoy the bounty of the Pacific Northwest. Five years later, however, the Makah Tribe ordered every nonIndian who owned businesses on tribal land to vacate their property, so Tony and his family moved back to Lewis County where he opened TR Construction. The company was quite busy installing homes with Cascade Modular Homes in Chehalis. When Cascade closed, he went back to working union jobs that included Satsop, the tribal offices in Grand Ronde, Oregon, and building a dam in Venezuela. Now 'older and wiser ' at age 62, he contemplated the fact he had friends experience life-threatening falls and injuries in their construction jobs and decided to walk away. He was old enough in all regards to retire, so he pushed that button.

Now Tony had the time for even more hunting and fishing. He had quite the adventures before and after retiring and has the mounted trophies to prove it. He spent time on his Toledo property, clearing and building so that it became impossible not to hold the big Rodriguez Family Reunions there. He also was quite active for years in the Centralia Elks Lodge, moving up the ladder of officers there and helping develop their business for the Elks and for charitable events for the community. Throughout his life he was involved with his children's sports. He coached football, and with the help of other volunteers, including Tony Jr, he built the Toledo baseball fields.

By 2016 he was a single man again, and met his wife-to-be, Nancy Russell from Longview. They married in 2018, bringing him 2 'bonus' families - Jennifer Russell and Ben Russell's. Tony and Nancy created a lifestyle for themselves that balanced community volunteer projects and adventures that usually included a plane trip and a passport, their favorite being a long cruise to 7 Central/South American countries and through the Panama Canal. Tony was involved with the Centralia American Legion Post 17 and VFW, so Nancy joined in the activities there. Nancy was involved in Altrusa of Longview-Kelso, so Tony pitched in and helped with their larger projects. They both developed some wonderful friendships that made it seem like they were meant to be. Tony joined the Honor Guard at his Legion Post 17 and before long, became their Captain, renewing the Guard's skills, attendance, and membership numbers not seen for many years. The many military funerals and parades gave him pride in the service to his country and helped to expand the allegiance and honor to his fellow veterans.

Tony is survived by his wife, Nancy Russell-Rodriguez; his son, Tony Rodriguez Jr. (Trina) of Rochester, WA; his daughter, Tammy VanSteenkist (Gregg) of Kennewick, WA; his daughter, Jennifer Smith (Randy) of Finley, WA; his stepdaughter, Jennifer Russell of Seattle; stepson Ben Russell (Robin) of Longview, WA; and his sister, Delores Daniels of Yakima, WA. He was predeceased by his parents Catarino "Pete" and Cleo Rodriguez; his wife Donna Grant Rodriguez; stepson Justin Williams (Kelee); and siblings Dorothy Frost, Darlene Rodriguez, Catarino Rodriguez, Manual Rodriguez, Edward Rodriguez, Thomas Rodriguez. There are bushels of grandkids and great-grandchildren, all of whom Tony loved and enjoyed every chance he had. There are even more nieces and nephews, great and great-great nieces and nephews, all part of his wonderful Rodriguez family.

Tony's life was a blessing, his guidance, especially to his family was a gift, his strength was an inspiration, his presence will be irreplaceable, his laughter filled every room with joy, and his wisdom guided us through life's toughest moments. And his memory will be a treasure that Nancy, his kids, and family will carry forever.

There will be a funeral for Tony at Newell Hoerling's Mortuary on Saturday, January 31 st, at 1 PM. That service will be followed by walking to his Celebration of Life around the corner at the American Legion Post 17 at 111 West Main St, Centralia WA. There is elevator access in back, on the Washington Federal Bank parking lot, or stairs at the entrance on West Main St. Please come celebrate Tony's life, and maybe bring your favorite dish. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Centralia American Legion Post 17 Building Fund.