Rudy "DJ Valentino" Portilla

Rudy "DJ Valentino" Portilla, 65, of Port Lavaca, Texas passed away after a brief illness on Thursday, October 10, 2024, in San Antonio. He was born on April 13, 1959, in Port Lavaca to the late Ascension "Johnny" and Hortencia Reyes Portilla.

Rudy was a dedicated, hardworking, loving husband, father, brother, and friend to many. Family was a priority for Rudy, he loved his wife, Erlinda and their two sons.

Throughout Rudy's life he worked  and  held  several positions in and around Port Lavaca. As a very young man, Rudy worked alongside his father as a shrimper for 14 years. In 1978, he worked at Rudy's Pool Hall for about 2 years. For 6 years, Rudy was a  well-known radio announcer at the local KGUL Spanish Radio Station.  He was an operator at Inteplast in the production department producing  plastic  bags.  He was a freight handler for 2 years  at  Walmart.  Well-known to many in Port Lavaca and the surrounding areas, "DJ Rudy Valentino", was a "DJ" at heart for 40 years. He enjoyed playing at many parties, dances, weddings, quinceaneras, and special events. He loved to see everyone have a good time and make them happy. Rudy received many DJ bookings at Sharkie's, Josie's & Madden's in Port O'Connor. Until recently, Rudy worked and held a position for 26 years in the  maintenance department at the Calhoun County Courthouse.

Rudy was an extraordinary man by whom all account, held  numerous  positions, wearing many hats, as a husband,  father, brother, nephew, cousin, co-worker and great friend who will be missed by many.  We love you, Rudy. May you rest in peace.

Leaving  to  cherish  his memory is his wife of 45 years, Erlinda Portilla of Port Lavaca; sons, Rudolpho "Rudy Jr" Portilla, and Joseph Michael  Portilla of Port Lavaca; sister, Flora Portilla Childress (Michael)  of Killeen; nephews, Joshua Trevino of Dallas, Austin Neal of Cibolo; niece, Clarissa Trevino of Killeen; and many other extended family members and friends.

In addition to his parents, Ascension  "Johnny"  and Hortencia  Reyes  Portilla, Rudy is preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Juan and Faustina Velasquez Reyes and    paternal grandparents, Encarnacion and Guadalupe Ortega Portilla.

Visitation will begin Friday, October 18, 2024,  rom 5:00PM - 8:00PM with a Rosary to be recited at 7:00PM at Grace Funeral Chapel, 1604 W. Austin St., Port  Lavaca.  A Mass  of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, October 19, 2024, at 12:00 noon at Our Lady of the Gulf Catholic Church, 415mW. Austin St., Port Lavaca with Father Tommy Chen to officiate.  Interment  will follow  at  Port  Lavaca Cemetery, 500 Martin Luther King Drive, Port Lavaca.

Honoring Rudy as pallbearers  will be Joe Falcon, Luis Gomez, Scott Copeland, Everett  Wood, Chris Heysquierdo, and DJ Jessie. Honorary pallbearers are Troy Beaudry, Mario Romero, Tyrone Harris, and Bobby Vickery.

Thoughts and memories may be shared online at www.gracefuneralhome.net.

Arrangements and services under the personal care of Grace Funeral Chapel, Port Lavaca, 361-552-1705.