Rodolfo Q. Piñon, 62, passed away peacefully in his sleep after two long years of a heroic and victorious battle vs cancer.

He was born on Oct 2, 1955 to the late Jose and Graciela Piñon on a cold night in El Paso, Texas. It was in 1969 when they loaded up in a 59 Chevy Impala like a tamal mal amarada and hit the open road to Blythe, CA. He graduated from Palo Verde High school, Class of 1974, recognized as a "Mighty Jacket". He graduated from Cal State San Bernardino where he majored in Psychology and Spanish Linguistics. He also attended a semester of law school before deciding to commit himself fully to community organizing.

His first pursuit of happiness in this career was as an Outreach Counselor at Campesinos Unidos Inc in 1979. Over the following nearly three decades, he worked in several positions counseling, outreaching to, and supporting individuals with substance abuse challenges, as well as the families of incarcerated people. In later years, Rodolfo shifted capacities, remaining committed and invaluable in his leadership of campaigns and projects for safety, health, and dignity of farmworkers and the community as a whole. His knowledge, expertise and remarkable passion lead him to form new non-profit organization, as a co-founder and first board chair of Pueblo Unido CDC, a non-profit organization dedicated to serve farm workers and low-income communities in the eastern Coachella Valley.

As a community leader he created a vast array of initiatives ranging from community leadership development through organizing and civic engagement, in real quality life improvement in the areas of health, infrastructure, affordable housing and economic development.

Rodolfo loved to travel; that is one thing he loved about his career. Every trip included a open road to new adventures.

This Gran Guerrero dedicated his entire life to helping people in need through his professional background and advocacy. Along the way, he inspired, mentored, supported, and encouraged countless others — particularly young people — to continue his legacy of commitment to community service and change. That legacy now continues.

Rodolfo was diagnosed with stage 4 liver cancer, December 15, 2015. He faced his prognosis or "the bull" as he would call it head on - even though the odds were stacked against him in every way. El Gran Guerrero as they called him, faced adversity with a gifted calmness, dignity and incredible determination. Many times he told us he was tired, but he remained strong and relentless until his last breath! A true victor in our book - no cancer, nor the ravages from the horrendous treatments would ever diminish who El Gran Guerrero was, cancer was unable to break such a warrior spirit, it never stood a chance! In faith we believe that his purpose here on earth was fulfilled and that he was welcomed into the Kingdom of Heaven with a "job well done!"

Rodolfo was a humble man with unquestionable integrity. He had a deep and rich passion to serve others. He was a gifted story teller of truth, an incredible leader, he was a respected mentor, a role model, and compassionate friend. His gentle manner and quick wit earned him many friends in his lifetime. With a charming personality as big as the great outdoors. He loved spending time out on his Rancho with a fresh cup of coffee and his horses. He loved to fish and go camping with his kids, (no- we never saw him fishing without his boots and sombrero either). He was a true champion and hero for social justice leaving a profound legacy that will inspire new generations of leaders in our communities. He will always be remembered by his signature cowboy hat and boots, with a smile and heart as pure as gold.

Rest In Peace Dad.

He is survived by and will be forever be remembered by his overly-patient and accepting wife Feliz Maria, who he adored and loved! His legacy will continue on through his remarkable children who were the light of his world; Ruby (Rick), Rodolfo (Hao), Alma (Jose Rodriguez), Jose (Ashley) and Michael Pinon. He loved his step children, Caesar (Norma), Jason, Jonathan and Brandon as his own. Rodolfo was head over heels for his 9 gorgeous grandchildren; Dyimond, Demaze, Jojo, Alonso, Marcus, Amelia, Christian, Alizandra and Analiese. We recount the day he jumped for joy when he realized he had 7 extra grandkids to buy gifts for: Irie, Nikki, Jayden, Caesar Jr., Isaiah, Selena and Layla. Tata Offo loves all of you so much. He will be forever remembered by a multitude of nieces and nephews, their kids, our lifelong friends, including their kids who have become family - he loved you all, un chingo. Norma (Waldemar) Clark, Martin (Paloma) Pinon, Jorge (Maria) Pinon , Elsa (Jose) Mendez, Luis (Quitty) Pinon, Gracie (Louie) Moreno, Bobby (Rosie) Pinon, Danny Pinon and Margarita (Hector) Garcia, he was proud to be your Brother.

He is preceded in death by his parents Jose (2007) and Graciela Pinon (2006), and his late wife and mother of his children, Bertha Balbastro Pinon (2005).


A funeral service will be held on February 5, 2018 at 10 AM
St Joan of Arc Catholic Church
875 E Chanslor Way
Blythe, CA 92225
Followed by a Celebration of Life Gathering at 1 PM at the Parish Hall (same address).
Your presence would be a blessing.

On behalf of the Piñon Family we would also like to send our sincere gratitude to all the Drs and Staff at Lucy Curci Center and Eisenhower Regional Medical Center - Especially Dr. Dasanu and his team of awesomeness, and also to Dr Paglinawan and his staff from Blythe for the exceptional care of our Father in these last two years. A toda la gente from Blythe, the entire Coachella Valley and all over the map - Thank You for supporting us all through this fight.

Seguimos adelante! Hasta la Victoria.