Dannell "Rod" Carlos Rodriguez, Sr ., of Grand Forks, ND husband, father and beloved son and brother passed away on Saturday August 24, 2019.

Rod was born on July 25, 1968 at Torrejon Air Force Base in Madrid Spain. Growing up in a military family, he lived for a time in Spain and Turkey. His family eventually settled in Northwood, ND. There he graduated from Northwood High School in 1986, the year his football team won the state championship, which was one of his proudest moments. In February 1992, he married Shannon Houle and they had a son, Dannell, Jr. in 1993. They resided in Grand Forks where he worked as a heavy equipment operator. He later established his own handyman business. Rod was a talented and dedicated musician. He formed the popular local band, Gypsy Wynd. He loved performing on stage and loved the band life.

On Halloween 2011, he married Julie Allen and inherited her two children. In his spare time, he loved reading fictional classics and Louis L' Amour books about the old west. Rod had a deep love for hunting, fishing, trapping and anything else "out-doors" which he happily passed onto his son, nephews and nieces. He had a deep interest and appreciation for history and antiques and a fondness for the simplicity of life, "the way it used to be". He had a warm smile and infectious laugh and genuinely cared for those he loved.

Dannell Carlos Rodriguez was preceded in death by his father, CMSGT, Carlos A. Rodriguez.

He is survived by his wife, Julie; his son, Dannell Rodriguez, Jr; his stepchildren, Kenzie (Christian Marker) Vodden and Seth Helling; his mother, Star Rodriguez; sisters, Shaylee (Ben) Thorsgard and Amy "Sissy" (Paul) Redding; brothers, Broy Rodriguez and Sean Rodriguez, as well as several nieces and nephews.

Rod's "Not A Funeral": Starting at 5:00 p.m. Friday, September 6, 2019 at The American Legion Post 157, 1009 Central Avenue East Grand Forks, MN 56721