Efrain Rondon-Melendez

Efrain Rondon-Melendez, 88 of Arlington, passed away on August 6, 2022 in Burleson. Efrain was born to Maria Melendez Rosario and Angel Rondon Llopiz on March 4, 1934 in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico. His family home in Puerto Rico was close to a horse track and this bred a deep love of horses that lasted throughout his life.

Efrain met Doris Loesch in Germany when he stopped her leaving work on her bicycle. “Ronnie,” as he called himself, won her parents over with his good humor and he married Doris in May 1961. They spent time traveling and collecting adventurous memories and friends. Efrain was gregarious and never met a stranger.

Efrain enlisted in the honorable United States Army in Fort Buchanan, Puerto Rico in March of 1954. He spent 30 years in service before his retirement including two tours in Vietnam and one in Korea. He received many decorations including the Bronze Star Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, two Purple Hearts, a Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, an Army Service Ribbon, an Overseas Service Ribbon, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal and the Vietnam Service Medal. In addition to his numerous achievements in the service he was an expert rifleman and parachutist.

Efrain also worked with the United States Post Office, as a SuperShuttle driver and an educator in driver’s training.

Efrain and Doris raised two sons with whom they shared their adventurous travels and later traveled with their two grandchildren. He loved to take them to show them new places.

Efrain enjoyed photography and was an avid golfer. He caddied for Chi-Chi Rodriguez and Lee Trevino in his youth. He was a runner and ran in the Volksmarch in Germany, ran the New York Marathon twice, and the Boston Marathon. He also biked the New York Marathon. He was an outdoorsman and enjoyed his timeshare in East Texas where he was able to shoot his bow.

Efrain was preceded in death by his parents, Angel Rondon Llopiz and Maria Melendez Rosario. He leaves behind to cherish his memory his wife, Doris Rondon, sons; Mario Rondon and wife Susan Rondon, and Anthony Rondon; grandchildren, Melissa Rondon and Michelle Rondon; sister, Luzarda Diaz and other extended family and friends.