Joe P. Garza

03/08/1940 - 03/05/2014

Joe P. Garza, 73, was called home by his Lord and Savior on March 5, 2014 surrounded by his loving family at 11:33 am. Joe was born on March 8, 1940 in Houston, Texas, where he resided as a life-long resident and worked as pressman in the printing industry until retiring in 1994. Joe was also a musician, playing the drums for tejano bands such as Nacho Garza Y Los Tigeres de Houston; Los Nuevos Technicos and Flaco Garcia Y Los Andariegos. Music was a favorite past time. Joe loved coffee, he drank it morning, noon and night, whether the weather was cold or excruciating hot, he had a cup in hand always! Joe loved to watch boxing, one of his favorite things to do. “Fight Night” with the family was one of his greatest enjoyments. He also loved to take drives and look at and for antique cars and trucks, watching shows about rebuilding them from scratch. His favorite movies were westerns, Bruce Lee, novelas and comedies. Joe, himself, was a great comedian – always bringing joy to every situation; bringing comfort and peace regardless of the circumstance. Joe was a very generous man, giving and always willing to help. He was also very wise and you could go to him with any problem. He taught us a lot about working hard, love for friends and family. Appreciating and respecting others.

Joe is preceded in death by his parents, Mateo and Viviana Garza and brother, Jesse P. Garza. Survivors include his loving wife of 52 years, Dolores “Lolita” Garza. Daughter, Deborah Ann Candanoza and husband, Oscar; son, Joe Anthony Garza, Sr. and wife, Carolyn; son Martin Eugene Garza and wife, Diana; daughter, Marie Antoinette Garza-Powell and husband, Brandon. Grandchildren, Michelle Annette Quintanilla and husband, Martin; Oscar Antonio Candanoza, III; Ruben Albert Martinez and wife, Yvette; Joe Anthony Garza, Jr. and Ashley Danielle Garza; Nicholas Martin Garza and Sophia Ashlyn Garza. Great-Grandchildren, Andrew Martin Quintanilla and Gia Nicole Quintanilla; Jordan Angel Martinez, Jacob Rene’ Martinez, Jonathon Daniel Martinez, Joe Machado and Natalia Ava Ramirez-Garza. God-Daughter, Elysa Almaguer. Brothers, Isavel (Tony) Garza and wife, Lyn; Ignacio (Nacho) Garza, Cruz Garza and wife, Natalia.Sisters, Mary Acuna; Christine (Tina) Rodriguez; Dolores (Lola) Garza-Luna and husband, Alfred; Gloria Alaniz and husband, John. Numerous nieces, nephews and cousins and god-daughter Elysa Almaguer.

The first and utmost important thing to remember is that Joe was a Christian and loved God his Lord and Savior first, he truly believed: “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever”. His second favorite obsession was living life to the fullest, loving every minute of it, spending as much time as he could with his family and friends. Joe’s family was of the utmost importance to him. He loved his family with great compassion and admiration. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and father-in-law devoting his life to his family. He will be forever loved and always remembered.

A visitation with the family will be held on Sunday, March 9, 2014 from 3 pm-9 pm, with a rosary to be recited by Deacon Tom of St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church at 7:00 pm in the Compean Funeral Home Main Chapel. Funeral Services will be officiated by Pastor Roy Love and will start promptly at 11 am on Monday, March 10, 2014 in the Main Chapel, (2012 Broadway, Houston, Texas 77012.) Interment will follow at Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery, (6900 Lawndale St., Houston, Texas 77023) where Joe will be laid to rest.

Pall Bearers: Oscar Antonio Candanoza, III.; Joe Anthony Garza, Jr.; Joseph Rodriguez, Jr.; Gilbert Alaniz, Jr.; Ernest Garza and John Alaniz, Jr.