Ubaldo Rios Garza

He is survived by his wife, Angelica Garza, who he married on January 8, 1960. During their 63 years of marriage, the two shared in a life of raising a family of five children. Romeo, their first-born child and only son, passed away soon after birth. Their remaining four daughters: Nidia, Neomi (Mimi), Negda, and Nelda grew up together at their home in San Jose, where Ubaldo, or also known as Grandpa, lived up until his passing.

Grandpa worked as a chef for more than 30 years and ultimately retired in his 50’s. However, does a chef ever retire? Grandpa loved food, especially cooking feasts for his family for Sunday dinner. A weekly dinner tradition soon shared with one of his favorite hobbies, playing poker. In the Garza household, deuces and jokers were wild and a seat at the table required cash, check, and towards the end, Venmo.

When Grandpa wasn’t playing poker, he spent the majority of his retired life playing Bingo, at Cache Creek, and watching the San Francisco Giants and Dallas Cowboy games on T.V. He loved trips to the gaming casinos, especially when his family joined him on these trips. His favorite beer was an ice-cold Bud Light, but more than anything, he loved his family.

Grandpa, the head of household, will forever be missed by his wife, four daughters, nine grandchildren, and 13 great-grandchildren.

A viewing will be held on Friday, February 2, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at the Lima Family Erickson Memorial Chapel at 710 Willow St in San Jose, with a Funeral Service at 12:00 p.m. A Graveside Service will be held immediately to follow at 2:00 p.m. at the Santa Clara Mission Cemetery at 490 Lincoln St in Santa Clara.