Ruben Garza

Ruben Garza of Victoria and Goliad passed away at the age of 85 on May 5, 2019. He was born in Goliad on April 15, 1934. He is preceded in death by his parents, Jose (Joe) Laso (de la) Garza and Maclovia Gentry Carbajal and brothers, Gonzalo Ray and Samuel Robert. He is survived by his wife, Sue; son, David (Linda) of Richland, Washington and Brian (Ann) of Humble; grandsons, Daniel of Humble and Nathan of Tulsa, OK. Surviving are his sisters, Sally (Eliseo) Sandoval of McAllen and brother, Rudy (Estella) of League City.

A native of Goliad and La Bahia, Ruben is a 7th generation descendant of Presidio La Bahia Spanish settlers and civil leaders Manuel Becerra and Maria Cadena. Becerra and Maria were prominent civic leaders in Villa de La Bahia and Mission Refugio. Becerra was elected to the Municipal Council and also served as Secretary. He was appointed guide for Stephen F. Austin during his search for a settlement location for American Citizens in Texas.

Ruben is a retired Air Force Chief Master Sergeant and Sergeant Major with 26 ½ years of service. He served in the Korean, Vietnam-Burma-Laos Conflict and the Taiwan (Formosa)-Mainland China Conflict as an air rescue paramedic crewmember. He returned a second time to Vietnam as First Sergeant and Sergeant Major for the Air Force Aeromedical Evacuation Units in Vietnam. He retired at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio as Sergeant Major for the premier Aerospace Medical Research and Development Laboratory. After retirement from the Air Force, he worked as credit manager for a credit union. He then started teaching school as a classroom teacher and then an educator.

Ruben earned an undergraduate degree from Our Lady of the Lake University, St. Mary’s University and Incarnate World College. He also earned a Master’s degree from Incarnate Word University. Twice he was elected to Who’s Who Among Students in American Colleges and Universities for academic and supervision excellence. Since his retirement from the education profession, Ruben’s intense interest in history guided his motivation to study and research two areas of primary interest, the Meriwether Lewis and William Clark 1803 expedition of the American West and Texas history, particularly the era of Spanish occupation and Mexican Republic in the crossroads region. Assisted by his wife, he completed over a period of many years of research the history of the La Bahia Cemetery that is adjacent to the Fannin Burial Monument and Presidio La Bahia. Their completed research material and combined sponsorship and application to the Texas Historical Commission led to approval and designation of the La Bahia Cemetery as a Historic Texas Ancient Cemetery with a Texas historical marker on October 2010. Additionally, Ruben was an ardent student of family history. He is recognized for his efforts to promote and celebrate family history. The love for his wife, two sons, two daughter in laws and two grandsons have always been foremost in his life.

Ruben was a life time member of the Armed Forces Top Enlisted Association, Air Forces Sergeants Association, Disabled American Veterans and Toast Masters International Association in Universal City. He is also contributing member of the Texas Historical Foundation and member of the Texas Historical Association. He was a founding and lifetime charter member of the Amigos of the Goliad State Historical Park and served as the association’s first vice president. He also has been a valued contributor to the Judge White Texas Family History Room of the Goliad Library.

A “Celebration of Life” and “Farewell” will be held at a later date at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church followed by a reception in the Parish Hall of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. Interment will take Place at the Veterans Administration Cemetery in Houston at a later date.