Hector H. Garza

Hector H. Garza, 82, was granted eternal rest on October 13, 2014. He was born in Rio Grande City, Texas, on February 5, 1932 to Hilario and Manuela Garza. He married his sweetheart, Lidia, and they spent 61 blissful years as husband and wife. Together they raised three sons, Jorge Alberto (Cynthia), of Laredo, Texas, Hector Jaime (Veronica), of Laredo, and Jose David (Velma) of Freer, Texas.

He was employed by the First National Bank of Hebbronville, Texas for 48 years, starting as a bookkeeper and retiring as a bank officer. During his life he proudly served his country as an Army specialist and was a member of the 132nd Engineer Aviation Brigade Band and also of the American Legion Post #0357. He served God as a Knight of Columbus and used his musical talent to direct both the Youth and Adult choirs of Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church where he was a lifetime member. Other organizations include the JHC Housing Authority Board and JHC Fair Association where he volunteered countless hours providing the music and sound system in their pageants.

Our spiritually strong father lived his life by example. Although Parkinson’s disease made the simplest of tasks very difficult for him and eventually took this vibrant man, his attitude always remained so positive. He never lost his desire to attend all the family functions or vacations. He lived his whole life without any complaints, just a smile in his face and joy in his heart. Never was a harsh or negative word uttered from his mouth. His honesty, respect, and love of God and family earned him much respect amongst his extended family and community. Hector left many warm and lasting memories in each of his cousins, nieces and nephews whom he cared for deeply.

Grandpa Hector held many positions and titles throughout his life, but his biggest enjoyment came from being a Grandpa to Ivar (Elizabeth) Garza, Silena (Rigo) Navarro, Joe David (Alexis), Laura (LeRoy), Deandra, Jaylon, Litzah, and Joseph Garza, and a great-grandpa to Kylie, Kody, LeRoy Garza, Aralynn Navarro, and Amy, Alex and Amber Hernandez. Each of them was very special in his eyes.

Music played a huge part in his life, and for over 50 years, his musical talents together with his compadres, Octavio Cruz and Arnoldo Mendoza, could be heard in numerous events such as church jamaicas, family birthdays, and weddings. During these events he pulled out his camcorder and made sure that memories could still be shared years after. Since the first camera was introduced until he was too weak to carry one, he documented everything in film. His 1000’s of hours of footage have brought us many laughs and tears, as we now watch ourselves in these films.

He is survived by his beloved wife, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and a sister-in-law, Aida G. McRae. Preceding him in death were his parents; brother, Ruben Garza; and parents-in-law, Benito and Carmen Garza.

A rosary will be recited Friday, October 17, 2014, at 7:00 p.m. at Del Angel Howard Williams Funeral Home with Visitation being held from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held Saturday, October 18, 2014, at 9:00 a.m., beginning at Funeraria Del Angel Howard Williams, 401 Texas, proceeding to Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, Hebbronville, Texas, for a holy mass at 10:00 a.m. Interment will follow at the New Hebbronville Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be grandsons: Ivar Garza, Joe David Garza, Jaylon Garza, Joseph Garza, Leroy Garza, and Rigoberto Navarro.