Joe Rodriguez, AKA “Jabbin’ Joe” of Ventura, California, passed away on September 19, 2025, in Ventura at the age of 97.
He was born in East L.A. to Julian and Helen Rodriguez and had seven siblings. He was a direct descendant of the historically prominent Soza family of Tubac and Tempe, Arizona. He lived in Pasadena with his wife Armida and their 3 children. In 1965, the family moved to San Bernardino in a job transfer, where he fell in love with the High Desert and Palm Springs. In 1975, Joe moved his wife and son to Ventura and remained there until his passing.
Joe graduated from John Muir High School, then went on to join the U.S. Army, where he was stationed in Okinawa and the Philippines for 18 months. Upon coming back home, he enrolled in John Muir Jr. College. He was on the track team and boxing team and in 1949; he won the Western State Welterweight Championship, also in 1949; he won the National Junior College Welterweight Championship at Pasadena City College.
In 1955, Joe started his income tax business, which he worked at until 2017 and had many clients from all around Southern California. He worked for Workman’s Comp. Insurance Fund from 1964-1988 as a District Representative, loving every minute of his job and the people he worked with. He remained active in the boxing world. He managed the Gold Coast Boxing Club and in the 1984 Summer Olympics in L.A. and he became the Competition Manager’s assistant in the boxing venue. This boxing venue was voted the best run in the 1984 Olympics.
Joe Rodriguez was a Christian and attended Calvary Chapel, of Oxnard, in his latter years. He became more active in the church when he moved to San Bernardino and found himself surrounded by the Campus Crusade for Christ personnel, who lived in his neighborhood, which included Hal Lindsey who would frequently stop and chat with him.
Joe is survived by his daughter Lorraine Lambert, son, Joe Anthony Rodriguez and grandson Timothy Paul Rodriguez. He was preceded in death by his wife Armida Rodriguez and son Kelly John Rodriguez.
The family wishes to extend their gratitude to all Joe’s medical team, as they kept him at his best for a very long time.
We will miss you coach…
Family and friends are invited to Funeral Services to be held on Thursday, October 16, 2025, at 12:30 p.m. at BOYKO & REARDON TELEGRAPH ROAD MORTUARY & CREMATION, 15 Teloma Dr. Ventura, Ca, 93003. (Corner of Telegraph and Teloma Dr.)
Reception to follow at Poinsettia Pavilion, 3451 Foothill Rd. Ventura, Ca 93003 from 2-4 pm.
Internment and graveside service will be held on Friday, October 17, 2025, at 9 a.m. at the Old North Church at Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills, 6300 Forest Lawn Dr., Los Angeles, Ca 90068 followed with a reception at Mijares Mexican Restaurant 145 Palmetto Dr. Pasadena, Ca 91105.