Tristan Rodriquez, age 18 of Shakopee, passed away at his home on Friday, October 27, 2017. The family will greet friends Thursday, November 2, 2017 from 4-7PM with a time of sharing at 6:30PM at Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home, 833 S. Marschall Rd., Shakopee. A celebration of life will be Friday, November 3, 2017 at 11AM with a visitation 1-hour prior at Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home, Shakopee. Pastor Dianna Hunstad will preside.
Pallbearers will be members of Tristan’s family, Ashley, Ray, Justin, David, Harley, and Jason. Acting as honorary pallbearers are Tristan’s cousins, Nate, Eric, Lauren, Madison, Mercedes, Madelyn, Jillian, Joshua, Derek, Max, Christi, Stephanie, Tami, Dontae, and Ben.
From the beginning, Tristan made his presence known—after three days of labor at St. Francis Medical Center, parents Jeffery and Danette (Bixby) Rodriquez, celebrated the birth of their son, Tristan Jeffery Rodriquez. While a joyous moment, it was filled with uncertainty. Tristan was taken to Children’s Hospital due to complications beginning a lifetime of doctor visits. In March of 2015, Tristan was diagnosed with Bohring-Opitz Syndrome (BOS), a rare genetic disorder.
Despite Tristan’s medical setbacks, he lived an amazing life. He attended the Shakopee Public Schools where he made friends with classmates and teachers alike. His family could rarely leave the house without running into someone that Tristan knew.
Although he was non-verbal, Tristan was a people person. He had a random excitability and the moment he started giggling, others would follow suit. He was gentle, mellow, and had his own way of communicating. Tristan always let his dad know that he wasn’t interested in the daily news, that he would rather listen to Tejano and classical music.
When Tristan was three years old, he gladly welcomed a new addition to the family, his younger sister, Peyton. The two had an unshakeable bond—they laughed, loved, fought, and forgave. Tristan loved his family. They enjoyed walks, watching movies (especially Disney and anything with Mickey Mouse), and traveling to Texas to visit relatives. Tristan especially enjoyed visiting his uncle’s farm where he would spend time with his favorite horse, Squirt. To his enjoyment, Tristan was even able to ride him.
Through various outreach programs, the family attended Minnesota sporting events. Tristan loved being around the people at the Twins, Vikings, and Wild games! Along the way, Tristan and his family formed new relationships with other families who were in similar situations.
If there is one lesson Tristan taught his family, it is life can take you down unexpected paths. Those paths, while difficult, are filled with more love and strength than one could image. Tristan kept his parents on their toes and brought them and many others unconditional love and joy.
Tristan’s gentle spirit and contagious smile will never be forgotten by those who love him most, his parents, Jeffery and Danette Rodriquez; sister, Peyton Rodriquez; grandmothers, Carol Bixby, and Lorraine Lopez; grandfather, Zaragoza (Mary Ann) Rodriquez; aunts and uncles, Ashley (Connie) Bixby, Raymond Bixby, Tamara (Jason) Edwards, Jennifer (Justin) Tigrett; countless relatives and devoted friends.
Tristan is greeted in Heaven by his grandfather, Marshall Bixby; uncle, Jamie Rodriquez, and aunt, Leticia Rodriquez.
The Rodriquez family extends their upmost gratitude to Hope Kids, Crescent Cove, the Epilepsy Foundation, Children’s Hospital & Clinics, Gillette Children’s Hospital, the Shakopee Public Schools, the Shriners, the Bos Foundation, and all the people who made Tristan’s life what it was. In honor of him and others affected by BOS, they encourage those attending his services to wear blue and yellow—the awareness ribbon colors of BOS.
