Guadalupe Anzaldua Garza, age 81, passed away peacefully on Thursday, May 22, 2025, in Corpus Christi, Texas. He was born on January 4, 1944, in Santa Rosa, Texas, to Antonio Caballero Garza and Polín Anzaldua Garza.
A proud son of the Rio Grande Valley and a longtime resident of Austin, Texas, Lupe—as he was affectionately known—was one of 13 siblings, holding the fourth spot in the lineup and the role of second eldest brother. His early years were rooted in family, hard work, and a strong commitment to education and community.
Lupe graduated with honors as Salutatorian from Santa Rosa High School in 1963, earning academic and athletic scholarships that led him to Southwest Texas State University (now Texas State University). There, he received a bachelor’s degree in 1967 with a major in Mathematics and a minor in Physics. He later earned a Master’s degree in Mathematics in 1974, becoming the first in his family to receive a college education—a source of pride for himself and his loved ones.
His determination to pursue higher education was shaped by his humble beginnings. The son of migrant farm workers, he knew the hardship of laboring in cotton fields during long Texas summers. While attending college, he worked at Gary Job Corps in San Marcos, showing a steadfast commitment to his goals.
Lupe’s career began as a math teacher and tennis coach at the newly opened Moody High School in Corpus Christi. Teaching became a lifelong passion. He later served with the Texas Education Agency in the Civil Rights Department, where he advocated for compliance and equity in education across the state. Eventually, he returned to the classroom and tennis courts at William B. Travis High School in Austin, where he found deep fulfillment in inspiring students and sharing his love for numbers and sport.
Athletics were a lifelong pursuit. While Lupe enjoyed playing football and basketball in high school, tennis was his true passion. He helped his high school team clinch a district championship and continued to play competitively into his 70s. Occasionally, he dabbled in racquetball, but tennis was always his “ace.”
One of Lupe’s greatest joys was volunteering at the UIL Texas Relays, where he got a front row seat to one of his passions — track and field. At home, he found peace in the simple act of picking weeds from the yard — a quiet ritual that reflected his love for order, patience, and the beauty in small things.
Though the years made him strong and resilient, Lupe never lost his gentle, generous spirit. Whether known as Guadalupe, Lupe, Wally, or Tío, he forged deep connections wherever he went—with family, coworkers, and casual acquaintances who often became dear friends. He had a gift for staying connected—frequently calling cousins, aunts, uncles, or former colleagues just to check in and share stories. Face-to-face visits were treasured, and if you were lucky, he might show up at your door with a hand-picked bouquet from his carefully tended rose bushes. Letters from Lupe often came adorned with hand-drawn flowers, each one a small expression of thoughtfulness and care. Even though Lupe had many strong friendships throughout the years, family remained the foundation of his life. He was deeply devoted to his large extended family and to his four children, with whom he shared his values of resilience, education, and integrity. Though only one of his children followed his footsteps into working with numbers, all were deeply shaped by his strength, kindness, and example.
Above all, his grandchildren were his greatest joy—his most cherished and beloved part of the family. Through their curiosity, energy, and enthusiasm, they brought him fresh perspectives and renewed vitality.
Lupe was preceded in death by his parents, Antonio and Polín Garza, his brother Oscar Garza, and his sister Diana Garza Saldivar.
He is survived by Aida Salinas, his loving partner of 14 years. Children: Jacqueline Garza Farley of Dripping Springs, TX (Michael Farley), G. Gerardo Garza of Dripping Springs, TX (Lauren Garza), Marcos A. Garza of Fredericksburg, TX (Anna Garza) and Esteban B. Garza of Fredericksburg, TX (Ani Garza). Grandchildren: Brianna Raquel Garza, Jaxen Gerard Garza, Harper Alegria Farley, Stella Loren Garza and Luna Garza. Siblings: Berta Silguero, Guillermo Garza, Margarita Garza, Yolanda Cantu, Juan Garza, Antonio “Tony” Garza, Jr. (Thelma Garza), Raquel Martinez, Hector Garza (Cynthia Garza), Jose Luis Garza and Elia Alaniz. Additionally, numerous nieces and nephews and many dear cousins.
His legacy lives on in the lives he touched—as a father, grandfather, brother, uncle, teacher, coach, and friend. A visitation for Guadalupe will be held Saturday, May 31, 2025 from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM at Heavenly Grace Funeral Home & Memorial Park, 26873 N. White Ranch Road, La Feria, Texas 78559. A chapel service will occur Saturday, May 31, 2025 at 1:00 PM. A burial will occur Saturday, May 31, 2025 at 2:00 PM.
