Guadalupe Inocente Garza, Our World War II hero passed away peacefully at home after living 92 glorious years. Garza was born in Eagle Pass, Texas, as descendant of the San Miguel pioneer family. A generous and gentle man who had complete devotion and love for his family is preceded in death by his wife Maria Mauricio, his parents Lucas A. and Josefa M., his brothers Isidro Sr., Francisco and Armando Garza. He is survived by his daughter Vita Flores (Chacho) , son Joe (Maria). Grand children Monica F. Rowley (Andrew), Elva L. Flores, Alex Garza (Melissa), Marizza G. Bowman (Daniel)and Melizza G. Albano (Anthony), great-grandchildren Alexis and Avery Garza, Victoria Wilson and Ian and Evan Bowman. Brother Ricardo and sister Olivia. In Jan 1942, he joined the Greatest Generation at the age of twenty-two when he was drafted into the U. S. Army. There he served with the 58th Field Artillery as a gunner in an M7 105 Self Propelled Howitzer. He fought in six major Campaigns including Tunisia (North Africa), Sicily, was in the first wave that landed in Normandy on June 6, 1944, fought in Northern France, the Ardennes (The Battle of the Bulge), and in the Rhineland. Among his other medals, he received two purple hearts. The war ended and having fought 404 actual combat days, was honorably discharged on Dec.19, 1945. At age 92 he remembered all his war experiences, dates, times and places. Upon returning to Eagle Pass, he reunited with the love of his life, Maria, and were married in Jan. 1947. In 1962 he moved his family to San Jose and worked at El Camino Hospital, retired 1985. He then returned to his beloved Eagle Pass where he was member of the VFW and American Legion and served as Grand Marshal in 2007 in the Veterans Day Parade. Two highlights in his life were when people would shake his hand and thank him for his service while on his visit at the WWII Memorial in DC. The other was when he flew in a helicopter with his daughter Vita and grandchildren over the Kilauea Volcano in Hawaii in 2001. He had a passion for gardening, dancing and reading. His last interview was by the San Jose Mercury News for the Dec. 27th 2011 issue, one day before his 92nd birthday. Our special thanks to Hospice of the Valley. Visitation will be 5 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 17 at Lima Family Santa Clara Mortuary, 466 N Winchester Blvd., where a vigil service will be held at 7 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Wed. Jan. 18 at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 5111 San Felipe Rd. in San Jose. Interment will follow in Santa Clara Mission Cemetery with U.S. Army Military Honors.
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