Rodney L. Serrano

Rod Serrano, husband, father, son, brother, firefighter, Shriner, loyal friend, handsome, debonair, Man about Albuquerque, passed away unexpectedly last Friday, July 18, 2014, at Presbyterian Hospital, after a brief illness. He was 84 years old. Rod began his journey through this life on September 16, 1929, being born to George and Violet Serrano, as the fifth of what would be 15 children. He grew up in Depression/WWII era Old Town, San Diego, where the Serrano clan had lived for several generations, and had the run of the town. Shortly after WWII, in 1949, Rod joined the U.S. Air Force, and after a brief stint with Radar repair, moved into what would be his life-long career and passion, Fire Protection and Crash Rescue. While serving at Forbes Field in Topeka, Kansas, he met his "baby doll", Jean, married her in 1954, and remained married to her over 60 years, until they shared his final breath last Friday. After a long and storied military career, wherein he served all over the world, Rod retired from the USAF in 1975. Following retirement, that same year, he took a civilian position with the Fire Protection Service at Kirtland Air Force Base, and relocated to Albuquerque, where he served until retirement in 1997. In 1984, because of his passionate dedication to Fire Protection and those affected by fire, and the focus and mission of the Masonic/Shriner organizations on supporting those impacted by fire, Rod committed to the Masonic Order at Mesa Lodge #68, beginning his journey to become a Shriner, joining the Ballut Abyad Shrine in 1986. Rod was an ardent and fervent supporter of all things Shrine, an allegiance that would culminate in his serving as Potentate for the Shrine of New Mexico in 2002. Rod also served with zeal as a member of numerous groups within the Shrine... Ballut Adyad Patrol, The Greeters, the Loco Patrol, the Royal Order of Jesters and Billiken Club, the "Q", Oso Negro Teocalli #44 ... as well as being an honorary member in several other groups. Rod was preceded in death by his parents, George and Violet Serrano; brothers, George A. Serrano, Jr, and Robert E. Serrano; sisters, Barbara Bohannon, Geraldine Rudasill, and Bette June Marciel. He is survived by his wife, Jean, and their sons, Steven, Ron (Celeste) and Rick (Mary); grandchildren, Melissa Pickens (Wayne), Carey Hurley, Aaron Hurley (Ashley), Derrick Serrano, Jeremy DeLong (Kayla), Rikki Jean Lopez, Anne Marie Silva and little guy Christian Serrano; as well as eight great-grandchildren. He was also blessed with "Children of the Heart" Michael and Maggie Gray and their son Sean, Sara and Mark Fordice, and their children Brianna and Julian. His surviving siblings are sisters, Georgia Drummond, Mary Jo Serrano, Susie Peebles, Sonia Gonsalves, and Lana Hewlett (Edward); and brothers, Edward, James (Mary), Louis, Leonard (Kathleen). There are pending memorial services and interment, to take place in San Diego, CA. There will be announcements as those plans are finalized. To honor Rod, if desired, the family requests donations be made to the "New Mexico Shriners Perpetual Fund", at 6600 Zuni SE, Albuquerque, NM, 87108 in Memoriam to Rod Serrano. FRENCH - Wyoming 7121 Wyoming Blvd. NE (505) 823-9400