Sergeant First Class (SFC) Hipolito Urrabazo Rodriguez of D'Hanis passed away Friday, April 4, 2025. He was 81.

Born August 13, 1943, at the family home in D'Hanis, he was a son of Nicolas and Santos Urrabazo Rodriguez.

Polo, as he was known to friends and family, considered himself a life-long resident of the D'Hanis Community, having lived from childhood through graduation, except for his time dedicated to serving in the US Army, and living in San Antonio for a few years. After separation from the military, Polo, his son Nicholas, and Linda Cooper settled in the family farm in "Old Town" after having lived in the "downtown" area of D'Hanis. Never one to sit idle, Polo took employment at the TDJC Torres Unit, then later, with the City of Hondo, then transferring to Medina County Animal Control before officially retiring.

He loved attending DHS athletic games, especially football games, and having morning coffee with old friends, participating in community activities, taking care of livestock, plowing and harvesting small crops, and always tinkering in his workshed because repair work on farm implements never ends. Polo, along with family and friends, built "Tejas Park" on the property complete with a cement slab for dancing, an area among the oak trees to set up tables and chairs, and a small kitchen area for food serving. Tejas Park was the site for yearly family reunions and other special celebrations for years; the last reunion held during the recent terrific wind and dust storm on March 15!

Polo is preceded in death by his parents; his late wife, Rosa Lopez Rodriguez; and brothers, Luis, Eddie, and William.

He is survived by his daughter, Gina Stephens (Samuel); sons, Paul Rodriguez, and Nicholas Rodriguez (Mallory); grandchildren, Carlena, Julia, Olivia, James Tate, Isaiah, Jacob, Deayon and Kalissa; great-grandson, Landon James; and a soon-to-be-born grandson. Polo established a deep friendship with and family support from Linda Cooper, who helped him raise younger son Nicholas, and, along with Linda's son, Billy Cooper and Linda's grandsons Billy and Christopher, became a part of Polo's family life for over 30 years. Other survivors include siblings Martina Watson (Bob), Ramon Rodriguez (Eloisa), Juan Rodriguez (Graciella), Mary Wagner, Manuel Rodriguez, Irene Dubberly (Sam), Louis Rodriguez, Linda Rodriguez,  Carmen Pruneda (Pete), Albert (Patricia), and Daniel (Tiffany).

Visitation and Rosary will be Friday, April 11, 7:30 p.m., at Holy Cross Catholic Church, D'Hanis.

Funeral Mass will be at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, April 12, at Holy Cross Catholic Church, followed by interment at San Francisco Cemetery, D'Hanis, with full military honors, and a reception to follow. (For further information, please call or text Irene Dubberly at 210-355-4472, or Carmen Pruneda at 884-6530)

Guinn-Horger Funeral Home