Roberto Gonzalez Garza

Roberto Gonzalez Garza of Houston, passed away on May 9, 2018 at the age of 74. Born on June 30, 1943 in Kingsville, Texas, he was the son of Felix Barrera Garza and Olivia Gonzales Garza with two sisters and three brothers. He is preceded in death by his sister, Amelida G. Olivas, brothers Orlando Garza and Raul Garza. As a young boy, Roberto picked cotton, sold newspapers and began his printing career in Kingsville, Texas. In 1956, he and his family moved to Houston where he attended Waltrip High School. In 1960 he joined the U.S. Navy - involved in four campaigns including Cuba and Vietnam. Roberto was one of the 2000 Tejanos interpreters in the Invasion of Cuba. After his military service, he continued his education at Houston Technical Institute, San Jacinto Vocational High School, and Houston Community College with an Associated Applied Science Degree and Honorary Doctorate’s Degree. He also attended the following universities and colleges to further his education: Clemson University, Illinois State University, Arizona State University, University of Pennsylvania and Kingwood College. A 35-year resident of Garden Oaks, Section 1 in Houston, TX, Roberto was a life-long civil rights activist, politician in the City of Houston. In 1965 he married Yolanda Cruz and had three children. Shortly after he started his own business, Garza Printing Company. He was a Journeyman in both Letterpress and Offset Printing and a member of the Gulf Coast Printing & Graphic Communication Union 71.

Roberto was Department Head and Professor for the Graphic Arts/Printing department for 25 years with Houston Community College System and the Harris County Jail Printing Program, top printing programs in the United States at that time. He taught hundreds of students to be successful in the world of Graphic Arts. He also established a scholarship program for students in the Graphic Arts/Printing field.

Roberto served on the Board of the Houston Club of Printing House Craftsman, Houston HISD Board of Directors, LULAC Educational Center and Houston Residents Citizens Participation Committee Development. His awards spanned his lifetime including The National LULAC Aztec Civic Rights Award; LULAC Man of the Year, local, district and state; Houston Citizen of the Week-El Sol Newspaper; The Benjamin Franklin Award (the only Hispanic to receive); the NISOD Teaching Excellent Award by HCC and University of Texas; The James M. Brahney Award; Who’s Who Among Hispanic Americans in US; Service Award CASP Conference, Phi Theta Kappa Society; International Scholastic Honoree of HCC; The Jefferson Davis Medal of the UDC, Honorary Member of The Southern Cross 2502 UDC and numerous U.S. Navy medals and awards. Roberto was a member of the International Graphic Arts Educators Association, lifetime member of Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 343 in Houston, Veterans of Foreign War Post 1839 in Cleveland and American Legion Post 212 in Coldspring where he served as Commander.

From 1966 to 1991 Roberto was involved in many community, professional and veterans’ affairs. He endorsed a Texas Resolution to hire bi-linguals at Election Precincts with 25% or more Hispanics registered. He formed the first LULAC Council 659 in 1976 in North Houston, held many officer positions throughout the years. Additionally, he served as Public Relations Officer for District 8, District 8 Director for the Gulf Coast of LULAC, reporter for The Leader Newspaper, “Hispanic Noticias”, El Sol Newspaper, and LULAC News and former member with the Shepherd Texas Library.

A Historian and Genealogist, Roberto traced his family tree from Spain, Mexico and Texas. Roberto loved to educate others on the involvement of Tejanos participation during the American Civil War and especially proud of his ancestors serving under Brig. General Santos Benavides Company B & I, Regiment 33rd Texas Cavalry.

He will be greatly missed by all who were fortunate enough to have known him. He is survived by daughters, Melissa Garza Fuller and husband Bill, Adelina Cruz Sanchez and husband Antonio, son, Roberto Valentin C. Garza, and granddaughter, Kayla Renee Sanchez, brother Felix Garza, Jr., sister Rosario Reyna and numerous nieces and nephews throughout the U.S.

Thursday, May 17, 2018: Visitation/Rosary: 5pm-8pm (Rosary at 7pm) at Pat H. Foley and Company, 1200 W. 34th Street, Houston, TX 77018. Phone: 713-869-6261.

Friday, May 18, 2018: Funeral Service: 11:30am at Pat H. Foley. Graveside service with Military Honors has been scheduled for 1:15pm at Houston National Veterans Cemetery. Address: 10410 Veterans Memorial Dr., Houston, TX 77038. Phone: 281-447-8686.