James E. DeLaGarza

James Earl "Jimmy" De La Garza, 70, of Victoria, passed away peacefully on July 28, 2015, after a long and courageous battle with Alzheimer's disease. Born November 28, 1944 in Houston to the late Alfred De Leon and Mary Lucy De La Garza Adams, Jimmy spent his youth in Victoria, where he was raised by his grandparents, Raphael and Janie De La Garza.

Jimmy was a Vietnam veteran who proudly served for eight years as an airplane mechanic in the U.S. Air Force. He worked many years as a Senior Piping Designer/Draftsman before retiring.

Jimmy gave generously of his time to benefit others, was a member of the Catholic War Veterans Post 1269, the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4146 and the Club Sembradores de Amistad. He honored other veterans who died by participating in military funerals. He helped many friends and family members in times of need.

Jimmy is preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, and brothers, Benny Gonzalez, Adie Adams and Alfred De Leon, Jr.

He is survived by his loving wife of 27 years, Tweedie De La Garza; children, Denise Hoepfner of Bozeman, MT, Jean De La Garza of Lafayette, GA, Maricia Miller of Katy, Annaliza De La Garza of Houston, David Gonzalez of San Antonio and Blaise Palacios of Victoria; 15 grandchildren; 2 great-grandchildren; siblings, David De La Garza, Carmen Sellers, Deamas Adams, Larry Adams, Jerry Adams, Robert De Leon, Richard De Leon, Anthony De Leon, Sandra Keller and Rachel De Leon; numerous other relatives; and his faithful four-legged companion, Lena.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 pm, Friday, July 31, 2015 at Colonial Funeral Home followed by a rosary at 7 pm. Viewing will be held 8:00 am, Saturday, August 1, 2015 at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church followed by a Funeral Mass at 9:00 am. Burial will follow with Full Military Honors at Resurrection Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be his brothers, Deamas Adams, Larry Adams, Jerry Adams, Robert De Leon, Richard De Leon and Anthony De Leon. Honorary pallbearers will be members of the CWV Post 1269 and the Club Sembradores de Amistad.

Memorial donations may be made to the scholarship fund of Club Sembradores de Amistad to benefit Victoria College students or to the Alzheimer's Association.

Words of comfort may be shared with the family at www.colonialfuneralhomevictoria.com