Rodney Luke Wagliardo

Rodney Luke Wagliardo, of Gatesville, Texas, passed away peacefully at home on July 18, 2026, surrounded by his wife, Rene, his children Ryan, Ross, and Reanne, and his ever-faithful sidekick, Daisy.

Graveside services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, July 24, 2026, at Grove Hill Memorial Park, located at 3920 Samuell Blvd., Dallas, Texas 75228.

Rodney was born May 26, 1951, in Dallas, Texas, to Jasper Luke Wagliardo and Joann Lometta Wagliardo. He lived in Dallas until he was twelve years old, when his family moved to a 1,000-acre farm in Exeter, Missouri. He returned to Dallas at eighteen and made Texas his home for the rest of his life.

Rodney began his career at nineteen with Zales Jewelry, where he worked for twelve years. It was during his next stop, at JC Penney, that he met Rene in the jewelry department — and it was love. In 1993, he started a new chapter with Chacon Autos, helping open several locations across Texas over the course of a 33-year career, and retired in March of 2026.

Rodney and Rene were married in 1987 in Arlington, Texas, and shared 39 years together. In 2021, they built their dream barndominium in Gatesville, Texas, to enjoy retirement together — complete with game roosters, guns, and a vegetable garden.

Rodney had a deep love for American muscle cars, game roosters, and collecting anything he believed would hold its value for the future — whiskey, baseball cards, antiques, guns big and small, old and new, and gold and silver. He spent his free time drag racing, gardening, accusing his children of stealing his clothes, and holding the title, by his own estimation, of Amazon's number one customer.

He was a proud fan of the Dallas Cowboys since the early 1970s and an avid doomsday prepper since Y2K.

Rodney loved watching and supporting his children in their sports careers growing up, instilling good sportsmanship and work ethic through baseball, football, and volleyball. He carried that same joy into his grandchildren's soccer and softball games, cheering them on every step of the way. He spoiled his granddaughters with anything and everything their hearts desired.

Above all else, Rodney loved the Lord, and he made it a priority to teach his children and grandchildren about Christ, leading by example and passing his faith down through the generations.

He never met a moment that couldn't use a laugh or a good-natured prank, a habit that started around age twelve when he left his sister at a gas station, and continued for decades as he delighted his grandchildren with silly voices and costumes. Those who knew him best would say he was the most cautious daredevil you could ever meet.

After his youngest daughter left for college, Daisy the dog became his constant companion, following him on chores around the land.

Rodney is survived by his wife of 39 years, Rene Wagliardo; his sister, Rebecca Courtney (Larry Courtney); his four children, Ryan Wagliardo (Taylor Wagliardo), Ross Wagliardo (Jaynelle Wagliardo), Reanne Wagliardo, and Amanda Wagliardo; and his three granddaughters, Harper, Quinn, and Sloane Wagliardo.

Rodney will be remembered for his humor, his generosity, his love of the land and his family, and the countless ways he made the people around him laugh. He leaves behind a legacy of hard work, mischief, and love that his family will carry forward.

In lieu of flowers, Rodney’s family ask that memorials be made to the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, 1 Billy Graham Parkway, Charlotte, NC 28201.