Xavier Dean Rodriguez, 4, entered heaven’s gates at 10:08 a.m. Feb. 26, 2020, in St. Marys Hospital in Rochester. A celebration of life will be at Bonnerup Funeral Home on Sunday in Albert Lea. Visitation will be from noon to 2 p.m., and the celebration of life will begin at 2 p.m. Burial will take place after the memorial service at Graceland Cemetery.

Xavier blessed his family with his presence on Dec. 8, 2015, on his sister Letty’s birthday. He was born to proud parents, Jessica and Juan. Xavier was diagnosed at 4 months old with a SCN1A genetic mutation, which caused frequent seizures — later to be diagnosed as Dravet Syndrome. His first seizure happened at 6 months of age. With the Dravet Syndrome diagnosis, he qualified for “Make A Wish,” but unfortunately he didn’t get to make that wish.

Xavier was baptized Jan. 24, 2016, at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Albert Lea, in front of his proud parents and godparents Rachel, Amber and Travis, amongst many other family members. Xavier was a strong mama’s little man who was always happy, smiling and full of never-ending energy. Xavier captured his family’s hearts from the moment they met him. He had a spark, a light inside him that could heal your soul. He was so silly and always had them laughing. He was so full of life, a true spitfire and the light of their lives. He was enrolled in preschool and loved going there to see his teachers and friends. He loved superheroes, especially Spider-Man and PJ Masks. He is now not only his family’s superhero, but a hero to other families as well, with the gift of his organs he is donating. Xavier means “savior,” and he will continue to live up to that name even after his passing.

Xavier worked hard in his four years of life, helping out his mom with “cleaning;” trying out Annica’s makeup to make sure it’s safe; decorating whatever he can with markers’ feeding Sotera; letting Macie “Stinky” out to go potty; helping his dad, grandpa and uncle with whatever they were tinkering with outside; calling Jasmine to make sure she is behaving; helping Gaige play hockey; drinking Trever’s water; and babysitting Kalie, Tyrell, Kaiden and Adilyn. He also babysat grandma a lot, and while babysitting would try to do the dishes for her.

Left to cherish Xavier’s memory on the maternal side are: his parents; sisters, Neissa and Annica; his four-legged sister, Sotera; grandparents, Darlene and Jeff Hall; great-grandparents, Roger and Violet Baldwin; aunts and uncles, Rachel Baldwin and James Rutherford, Travis Hall, and Amber and Justin Michaelis; best buddies (cousins) Kalie, Tyrell, Kaiden, Gaige, Trever, Adilyn and Jasmine; numerous other relatives; and also his four-legged buddies: Macie “Stinky,” Rocco and Giselle.

Left to cherish Xavier’s memory on the paternal side are: Juan Jr., Frank, Dora and Eduardo, Jose and Eileen,  Marlin and Tim, Omar, Anna and Edgar, Jose, Malinda, Danielle, Abraham, Jesse, Mackayla, Ricky, Lily, Moses and Eliza.

Xavier was greeted in paradise by his sisters Letticia “Letty” and Natalie; cousins Madyson Hall and Josh Baldwin; and great-grandparents Pat and Alvin Hall. 

The family said, “We would like to express our gratitude towards the amazing EMTs, fire department, A.L. Police Department, the amazing Mayo medical team in Albert Lea that didn’t give up on our little man, the flight team and the amazing medical team at St. Marys. You are all superheroes! We would love to see you and thank you personally. You are all welcome to come to the visitation and funeral. Thank you for giving us hope!”