Zenon Tony Garza

Zenon Tony Garza was born on November 3, 1936 and passed away suddenly on May 20, 2021. He was 84 years old. Tony was born in south Texas on the Los Reyes Ranch near San Diego, Texas to parents Eulogio Garza and Guillerma Reyes. He was one of 9 children.

Tony was happily married to Alma Sendejar on December 22, 1962 in Benavides Texas. Together they had five children. Luis Javier Garza and Roland Rene Garza passed away shortly after birth. Tony together with Alma raised three children, Luis Antonio Garza, Adrian Javier Garza (Kim) and Norma Garza-Jennings (Bobby). Tony was affectionately known as Popo to his three granddaughters, Kitiara Salazar, Marissa Andrea Garza, Briauna Laverne Hull (Waylon), as well as his two great granddaughters, Makenzi Bolton and Everly Hull. Tony also leaves behind a host of other family and friends.

Tony held many jobs in life to include cattle drive cowboy and restaurant cook. He also worked at Taylor Building Company and Hammond Treat Contractors as a heavy equipment operator. Tony moved his family to the small community of Galena Park in 1968 in search of a better life for his family and himself, which he most certainly found.

In 1981, Tony was involved in a very bad industrial accident that left him permanently disabled with many injuries that he had to endure for the rest of his life. While his recovery was difficult, he never complained and learned how to keep living his life. He showed his children what it meant to persevere in the face of adversity. As a result, he became a very present husband, father and grandpa.

One of the reasons Tony was able to overcome his physical challenges was because of his unwavering belief in his Lord, Jesus Christ. He also had a very strong faith in our blessed mother, Our Lady of Guadalupe. He was a lifelong member of Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church and was a very active parishioner, often acting as usher during the mass. He also was a huge supporter of Our Lady of Fatima Catholic School where all three of his children attended. He was a very active and well-known member in his church community.

Tony had other great loves in his life, the first being his wife Alma and his family. Tony and Alma were married 58 years and raised their three children to have unwavering faith in God, and to lead their lives in service to others. Tony’s greatest achievement was his family and no one could doubt it when you heard him speak of them. He was also the greatest friend to all who knew him. He never met a stranger and if you became friends, you were quickly promoted to family. He had a very special relationship with the Diese family. He considered them every bit his family and Peggy his sister. He had many special relationships with friends he considered extended family.

The other great love in his life was his cooking. He made the best brisket, hot sauce, and his tamales were off the chain. If you were lucky enough to get them you always came back for more. Lastly, Tony loved his riding lawnmower and giving his grandkids rides on it. He was very proud of his yard and he would cut every one of his neighbors’ lawns, whether they wanted him to or not.

Tony is leaving a lasting legacy through the memories he has created for all of those he leaves behind and he will be missed.