Armando Rodriguez Alaniz's Obituary
Weslaco- Armando Rodriguez Alaniz passed away surrounded by family at Knapp Medical Center on January 27, 2026. He was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather, and a lover of butterscotch, caramel, and antiques. He was a good, kind, and nostalgic man defined by faith, a strong work ethic, humor, and a genuine spirit of adventure.
From a young age, Armando was fiercely independent and business-minded. As a boy, he would jump the train that ran near his home in Weslaco and ride it all the way to California, arriving with his face covered in black soot from peeking over boxcars to track his location. Once there, he would jump off, shine shoes, and earn enough money to make the journey worthwhile before returning home. On other days, he would skip school and head out hunting with his slingshot, which he was remarkably skilled at using. When he caught a rabbit, he would bring it to a local homeless family, who would cook it and share the meal with him. Even at a young age, he found ways to provide for himself while caring for others.
Armando was always up for anything. Later in life, when friends decided to form a mariachi band, he joined without hesitation and traveled across the United States with them, despite having no real musical talent. While living in Chicago, he would sometimes quietly drive the long distance just to sneak by his parents’ home and see them sitting on the front porch, even though they worried about him making the trip. It perfectly captured his spirit—adventurous, loyal, loving, and always ready to say yes.
His entrepreneurial spirit and fearlessness carried into adulthood, leading him to build and run multiple business ventures, including bars, a used car lot, a lumber company, construction companies, apartments, and commercial real estate—many of them alongside his brothers as business partners.
He had a deep appreciation for craftsmanship, antiques, and especially classic cars, eventually building an impressive collection. He spent all of his spare time restoring his antique cars, often convincing his wife that this one was a good investment and that he was definitely going to sell it. Instead, it would be kept “for the kids and grandkids,” and the same promise would be made again for the next car—a pattern that repeated, lovingly, throughout his whole life.
He was married for 53 years to the love of his life and was deeply proud of his children and grandchildren, admiring their intelligence, education, and capabilities. Each morning, he began his day with seven sips of water, offering a prayer with every sip for each of his children and their families.
He will be remembered for his work ethic, humor, curiosity, generosity, and the quiet, steady devotion he showed to those he loved.
Armando is preceded in death by his beloved parents, Francisco and Angelita Alaniz, his brothers, Michael Alaniz and Manuel Alaniz (Irene), sister, Nena Pedraza
He is survived by his wife and the mother of his four youngest children, Oralia Espinosa Alaniz (Lala), his seven children, Angie DeLeon (Tony), Yvette Price (Scott), Eric Alaniz (Darlene), Annette Garza, Alma Sander (Patrick), Abran Alaniz (Angela), Armando Alaniz Jr. (Aby), fifteen grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, brothers, Domingo Alaniz (Delia) and Joel Alaniz (Rosie); sisters, Juanita Balli (Willie+) and Emma Solis (Francisco), brother-in-law, Hilario Pedraza (Nena+), and extended family, who will continue to carry his stories forward.
The Alaniz, Garza, and Sander families would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all the medical personnel who took such compassionate care of our father, including the staff at Kaizen Clinical Partners, Weslaco Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Knapp Medical Center—especially the ICU department—as well as Dr. Jose F. Peña and Dr. Juan J. Garza.
Visitation will be held on Friday, January 30, 2026, from 5-8 pm, with a Holy Rosary at 7 pm. Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, January 31, 2026, at 1 pm at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church in Weslaco. Armando will be laid to rest at Highland Memorial Park. Serving as pallbearers will be Joey Alaniz, Manuel Alaniz Jr., Patrick Sander, Jason Alaniz, Adam Garza, and Wesley Sander.
For Saturday’s funeral mass (1 pm) and internment (2 pm) services, we encourage guests to bring their antique cars, and/or wear the color of their favorite classic car in his honor.
What’s your fondest memory of Armando?
What’s a lesson you learned from Armando?
Share a story where Armando's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Armando you’ll never forget.
How did Armando make you smile?