Eric Alexis De La Garza

As a child, Eric was inquisitive and full of life. One of his mother’s fondest memories is of eight-year-old Eric riding his bike with an American flag tied around his neck like a cape, proudly flying behind him. His Uncle Albert had given him the flag upon returning from military service. The flag eventually wrapped around the back wheel, forcing Eric to push the bike home on one wheel — all with a big smile on his face. Eric was her rebel, eventually graduating to riding a Harley-Davidson and continuously testing her patience in the most loving way.

Eric had a deep love for the outdoors. He was an avid hunter, fisherman, shooter, and gun collector. He loved calling his sister Erika to join him on his adventures. On one outing, a shirtless man panhandling asked Eric for money. Without hesitation, Eric took the shirt off his own back, gave it to the man along with some cash, then returned to the truck and quietly put on an old T-shirt. It was just who he was — someone who brought joy to people he knew and many he didn’t. Another time, while visiting a friend in the hospital with his sister Bea, he noticed patients with no visitors and brought them flowers, telling his sister it wasn’t right for anyone to be alone.

Eric met his match when he met his wife, Cindy. One evening, after she said she would never remarry, Eric simply asked, “What if I asked you?” He then pulled a ring from his pocket, placed it on her finger, and the two began building a beautiful life together with her children and his. The children grew into remarkable young women who loved and respected him deeply, describing him as loving, kindhearted, and steady in every way.

Eric was an accomplished artist, painting landscapes and portraits with stunning detail and the ability to replicate any vision. He played piano and was a self-taught, gifted guitar player. Early in his career, he studied electrical work and HVAC before pursuing his entrepreneurial spirit. He founded a successful telemarketing business employing more than 100 people and later opened Air Brush Detail in the automotive industry.

Eric is preceded in death by his father, Albert De La Garza.

He is survived by his loving wife, Cindy Norftill–De La Garza; his mother, Nelda De La Garza; his sisters, Erika De La Garza and Beatrice Rocklin; and his children: Jason Mullins, Jacob Mullins, Melinda Davis, Marcus Norftill, Caytlyn Norftill, Makayla Norftill, and Dawn Norftill. He is also survived by his grandchildren: Cainin and Avery Demike, Yggdrasil Cheshier, and Dawson Norftill.

He will be greatly missed and remembered for being kind, loving, and endlessly giving. We treasure the time we had with him, and his spirit will remain in the hearts of all who knew him.

A celebration of life will be held in early 2026. We invite family and friends to share condolences and memories online at https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/mesa-az/eric-de-la-garza-12621158