Guadalupe Francisco Rodriguez

Guadalupe Francisco Rodriguez, 74 of Tulare, California, peacefully left us on August 15, 2026 surrounded by his family at his home in Tulare. Guadalupe was born to Francisco Rodriguez & Concepcion Gamez Rodriguez on October 26, 1951, in Corcoran, California. His family settled in Corcoran and made that their hometown after several decades of traveling from Texas as farm laborers throughout the Western United States. Guadalupe graduated from Corcoran High School and furthered his college education and attended the California Institute of Arts. Many of his closest family and friends know him as "Lupe" a man of many talents. Well known in our community for his Art and passion for Golf, his kindness and generosity to anyone that he encountered was unmeasurable. His natural talent in the game of golf started in his young teenage years and carried on through his adulthood taking him to the most beautiful golf courses to compete at a collegiate level, gaining his notoriety in the state of California. In the late 1970's he joined the Mexican American Golf Association (MAGA) where he continued to build a family of friendships that still carry on to this day. He spent several years at Sierra View Golf Course and later making the Tulare Golf Course his longtime home. In 1990 he met the love of his life Linda and spent 35 years together. They settled in Corcoran in their early years where they raised together his stepchildren. In the early 2000's they moved to Tulare, where they settled and eventually had a busy next 21 years enjoying every moment with their grandboys. After Lupe retired, he continued to find great joy helping with coaching the girls and boys high school teams, offering golf lessons and ultimately coaching his grandkids at a High School level and College level. His Art and creativity were also his pass time and something that was so natural to him that even the smallest doodle looked like a masterpiece. Lupe is survived by his Stepson & Daughter In -Law Loren & Jessica Utsler, Stepdaughter Lori Utsler, Grandsons Lance Utsler & Logan Utsler, Brothers Francisco Gamez Zamora, Ramon Gamez Zamora, Jose Gamez Zamora, His bonus Granddaughter Leah Higuera, and many nephews & nieces. He is preceded in death by his Wife Linda Utsler, Father Francisco Rodriguez, Mother Concepcion Gamez Rodriguez and Brother Felix Rodriguez. Lupe's legacy will carry on in those that had the honor and privilege of stepping onto any golf course with him. Every movement he taught, advice he may have given to improve your game or life in general, words of encouragement or just a catch of his sense of humor. Keep that within you and take him along for the rest of your journey because he lives within us all always. Rosary will be held 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM Friday, September 11th, 2026 at Salser & Dillard Funeral Chapel, 127 E. Caldwell Ave., Visalia. Homily of Prayers services will follow at 11:00 AM. A celebration of life and lunch will follow from 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM at the Tulare Golf Course, 5300 Laspina St, Tulare, CA 93274. Services have been entrusted to Salser & Dillard Funeral Chapel. Memorial Tributes and condolences may be offered by logging onto www.salseranddillard.com.

Guadalupe Francisco Rodriguez

October 26, 1951 - August 15, 2026