San Antonio husband, wife die within hours of one another, holding hands after 58 years of marriage



SAN ANTONIO, Texas -- After 58 years of marriage and three children, a San Antonio couple died as they had lived -- side by side.

"I just can't believe something like this would ever happen. You hear this on the movies...like the Notebook," Corina Martinez, the couple's daughter said.

George and Ora Lee Rodriguez celebrated their 58th wedding anniversary on June 1st.

They met in San Antonio, and this was a love that never faded.

"He was working as a butcher, at Tony's meat market on Culebra. He met her there," Martinez said.

George was a Marine, and after serving, he and Ora got married. They raised their three beautiful daughters in a home on San Antonio's west side.

Both George and Ora developed dementia, and a few months ago, George suffered a stroke.

"They were both here. We had them here at the house in their hospital beds right beside each other," Martinez said.

On Tuesday, July 5th, George passed away in his sleep. Three hours later, Ora passed as well.

"They were holding hands," Martinez said.

They were surrounded by their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

"My mother would always say that she was going to take my father or vice versa, and it did happen. We didn't think it would, but it did," Georgia Perez, the couple's daughter said.