He was born on October 31, 1951 in Roma, Texas to the late Ramiro and Hilda Rodriguez. Mundo graduated from Zapata High School in 1971 where he played varsity football and was involved in various campus activities. On Mundo’s graduation day, he walked off the stage and drove the entire family to new opportunities in Florida. This cross-country journey sparked his love of driving and exploring with those he loved.

While Mundo was farming in 1972, he met the love of his life, Juanita “Janie” Rodriguez. They pursued their love and married on April 20, 1974. Mundo and Janie continued their lives as migrant farmworkers and worked hard to provide for their two daughters, Melisa and Jessica. In 1982, Mundo retired from farming and found a job working for Fleetwood where he built cabinets for manufactured homes until the plant shut down in 1995. Immediately following, he began working for another North Carolina based manufacturing company requiring him to travel there during the week. Soon after, Mundo found out he was diabetic and his search for local employment began.

Mundo’s love of driving led him to work with Florida Refuse Services based in Lakeland, Florida in 1998. His beloved wife supported him by waking up before sunrise to prepare his warm and delicious lunches of hearty burgers or his favorite tacos. In 2012, Mundo retired at age 60. Because Mundo was such a hardworking man, it took him a year to adjust to this new luxury of sleeping in.

Being raised in a family of 12 as the second eldest child, he learned the importance of family, hard work, dedication, loyalty and humility. Mundo always believed in living a selfless life. Mundo not only opened up the eyes and minds of his own children, but he also provided support and unfamiliar experiences for his grandchildren, nieces and nephews like road tripping up the coast or introducing them to the wonders of the mountains.

Above all else, Mundo lived a life overflowing with joy, courage, laughter and thoughtfulness. His children remember their dad often checking in on his siblings as he felt it was his responsibility to make sure they were well. Mundo was especially known as the family prankster and enjoyed sharing his love through laughter.

Mundo was happily married for 46 years to the love of his life and best friend, Janie. He is survived by his daughter Melisa, son-in-law Bill, and his youngest daughter Jessica. His legacy will continue on through his grandchildren Emilio, Julian, Carlos, Oscar and Billy. He is also survived by his nine siblings Mario, Norma, Fernando, Vilma, Cesar, David, Sandra, Carlos, and many nieces and nephews. Mundo leaves us all with fond memories, unconditional love and tremendous words of wisdom. He will surely be missed but will remain in our hearts forever.

A Visitation will be held Saturday, July 11, 2020 from 10:00 a.m to 12:00 p.m. at Oak Ridge Funeral Care Haines City, FL. A graveside service will follow at 12:00 p.m. at Forest Hill Cemetery.