Simon V Rodriguez

Simon V. Rodriguez, 75 years old, passed away peacefully at his home on Thursday, March 26, 2026, in Twin Falls, with his loving wife, Malena, and his sons, Tony, Izzy, and Simon Jr., by his side.

Simon was born in La Feria, Texas, on September 17, 1950. He was the third child born to Simon and Juanita V. Rodriguez of Texas. He was so proud to be Mexican-American and a son of Migrant Workers. As part of a migrant family, Simon traveled in his younger years to work in California, Texas, Washington, and Idaho. It was finally Blackfoot, Idaho, where the family settled down.

Simon graduated from Blackfoot High School in 1970. He also took some classes at ISU Pocatello. He worked many different jobs, including the Idaho National Laboratory (INL),Retail, Job services, MV rehab services, The Refugee Center, and as an Interpreter. He was very proud to be bilingual and bicultural. His proudest role was being a small-business owner, and he owned "The Twin Falls Train Shop" for many years. He had a true gift, and his ministry was his shop. He was truly a "Train Master.” He loved trains for most of his life. He knew how to sell trains, how to fix them, restore them, but most of all, he enjoyed taking trains to people. Everybody who came to his store was a friend, from Train Club members to Hobbyists, beginners in the hobby, and children who were amazed to see the choo-choo trains go around and around. This was his happy place.

In 1986, Simon moved to Twin Falls from Blackfoot with his two sons, Izzy and Simon Jr. (Monsi), to start a new life. It was in Twin Falls that, through mutual friends, he met Malena and after that, they were inseparable. They got married in May of 1991, and in 1993, their son Tony was born.

Simon was a family man as well as a man of faith. His home church is Amazing Grace Fellowship, where he has been attending for over 25 years. He was so proud to represent the church, and being an usher was his calling. He proudly wore his usher ID every Sunday until he couldn't due to illness.

He was very loving, encouraging, positive, with a servant's heart, and loved God and loved his family. Throughout the long battle with cancer, his faith never wavered; he found his strength in Christ, his friends, his Church family, and his own family. God and family were at the center of his life.

He loved nature and the outdoors, war movies, as well as Cartoons, even at 75 years old he loved Cartoons, good Rock and Roll music, and was a Rocker until the end. He was loved by many, knew no strangers, and had a smile and kindness for everyone every day. He loved giving hugs.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Ramiro, and his brother Felix. He is survived by his wife Malena, their son Tony, and his sons Izzy (Trista), Simon Jr. (Amber). Grace from Idaho Falls, Hector (Juana) from Pocatello, Daniel (Lori) from Texarkana, Irma (Rudy) from Blackfoot Ruben from Colorado, Gabriel from Blackfoot, Lorenzo(Monica) from Blackfoot, Jimmy from Pocatello, Nieces, and Nephews, Grandchildren, and Great Grandchildren

Gone but not forgotten, he will live on in our hearts, and his legacy as a wonderful man will endure.

His wife wishes to recognize all the Medical Teams of St. Luke's Magic Valley Medical Center, including Pulmonology, ENT, Surgical Services, Diagnostic Imaging, Cancer Institute, Palliative Care, Gastroenterology, Internal Medicine, Idaho Home Health, and Hospice. Special thanks to Dr. Helms and Dr. Thibault. Also, all the family and friends who helped us through this difficult journey.