Memorial services for Michael Rodriguez, 59, of Monroe, LA, will be held at 1:00PM Saturday, December 20, 2025, at North Monroe Baptist Church with Rev. Warren Eckhardt officiating. Visitation will be from 11:00AM until time of service at the church.

Michael Henry Rodriguez passed away on December 9, 2025, but the space he leaves behind is filled with stories, laughter, and the love he poured into so many lives.

Michael was the heart behind Magic Grill. He built it with hard work and long hours, but what truly set it apart was him. Customer service wasn’t something he practiced — it was who he was. He remembered names, asked about families, checked in on people, and made sure everyone left feeling better than when they came in. Under the mentorship of Ray Pierce, Michael turned a vision into something real and then spent his life using it to serve others.

He never met a stranger. If you crossed paths with Michael, chances are you walked away feeling like family. He had this rare gift — a way of making people feel seen, cared for, and genuinely important. You didn’t just know that he cared; you felt it. His smile was contagious, his laugh unforgettable, and his energy could light up an entire room without him ever trying. And no matter what life handed him, he had a way of brushing it off with a grin and saying, “It’s all gravy, baby.”

Michael lived to lift people up. He genuinely wanted to see others succeed and took pride in helping them get there. He encouraged, pushed, and believed in people — especially when they doubted themselves. He celebrated wins loudly and stood steady through setbacks, always ready with support, advice, or simply his presence. The same wholehearted love he gave so freely to others began with his family, whom he loved deeply and completely with his whole heart.

Michael was deeply devoted to his community, always willing to step up, lend a hand, or show support wherever it was needed. His life was a reflection of generosity, loyalty, and love in action.

Michael’s legacy isn’t just in what he built, but in how he lived — open-hearted, hardworking, and full of love. He will be deeply missed and forever carried in the hearts of those who knew him.

He is survived by: His son, Michael Rodriguez, and wife Alexandria Rodriguez-Villegas; His sister, Voncille Nolan, and her husband, Bill Nolan and Nichole Lopez and her husband, Ben Lopez; His brothers, James Rodriguez and wife Sonya Rodriguez, and Mark Hyde and wife Beverly Hyde;

Along with many extended family members, friends, and all who were lucky enough to be loved by him.

In lieu of flowers: Michael believed in supporting his community. In lieu of flowers, the family invites donations to a local cause, school, or organization, continuing the generosity that meant so much to him.

Rest easy, Michael — your love lives on in all of us