Robert John Garza

Robert “Bobby” John Garza, age 86, passed away on Thursday, April 27, 2023, in San Antonio, Texas. He was born in San Antonio on December 5, 1936, to his parents Guadalupe (Marsch) and Emilio Garza. Bobby joined the United States Marines in 1954, and married the love of his life, Margie, on April 27, 1957. On July 20, 1956, Bobby became a Cartographer at Fort Sam Houston, Army Map Service Field Office. He earned many commendations and monetary awards for adopted suggestions that saved money in the procedures of producing maps. Bobby was promoted and moved his family of 8 in November 1969 to Fort Clayton, Panama, Central America. There he worked for DMA Inter American Geodetic Survey (I.A.G.S.) School where he taught Cartography. He also traveled to Honduras, Brazil, Venezuela, Colombia and Nicaragua where he trained and taught various aspects of cartographic and topographic map design. His next promotion was to Bogota, Colombia in June 1972. Bobby went back to Canal Zone, Panama in 1973, then moved back to San Antonio to continue his tenure with Army Mapping Service, Ft. Sam Houston in1974.

He then moved to Quito, Ecuador in 1977 until he was transferred to Panama, Fort Clayton, to work for DMA from 1977 thru 1980. Moved back to San Antonio in 1980 where he worked on Desert Shield and Desert Storm. Then in 1982, he took a special assignment in Managua, Nicaragua. While there during the Sandinista's regime, he was shot at and returned home. It took a while to get over that experience. He was a loving and funny teacher, the students at Winston Churchill loved to hear all his stories and his personal knowledge of all the places he had been to and the people he had the privilege to know like; Generals, Ambassadors, and many wonderful people that had a direct influence on him. He served for several years and was voted Teacher of the Year. Our father was an athlete. He participated in boxing and baseball as a young man and softball later, playing for the team at Ft. Sam and later the Cartography school, in the Canal Zone.

Our father always wanted and did the best for all of us and because of his drive and determination, he exposed us to different cultures and a life we are forever grateful for. He is preceded in death by his parents; siblings, Emil, George, Joe, Ralph, Edward, James and Mary Garza; and his granddaughter, Brianna Rose Plehn.

Robert is survived by the love of his life, Margaret (Margie) Garza; his children, Bernice Hines (David), Margaret (Pinky) Garza, Robert J. Garza, Jr. (Sarkara), Shirley Wickery, Gregory Garza (Cassie) and Stephanie Garza; his grandchildren, Steven Hines (Cynthia), Bryan Hines (Angie), Gregory Hines (Ami), Blake Rowden, Jason Wickery, Jagger Rowden, Ciara Williams (Joey), Dylan Plehn, and Cole Robert Garza-Doumani; great grandchildren, Devin Hines, Hunter Hines, Brendon Hines, Ryder Rowden, Coleson Anzellotti, Caliana Anzellotti, Olivia Hines, Ariana Hines, Charlee Hines, Barrett Hines, Scarlet Elias, Joey Williams, and Magnolia Williams; and many cousins, nephews, nieces and many friends around the United States, Central and South America. Interment to follow with Military Honors at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery. Lat/Long 29°27’25.06”N/98°26’45.03”W

FUNERAL MASSTUESDAY, MAY 30, 202310:00 AMHOLY SPIRIT CATHOLIC CHURCH8134 BLANCO RD

Rev. Father Julio Valladares and Deacon Bill Hobby will officiate.