87S20196 CJM-D
By: Martinez H.R. No. 55
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, A full and generous life drew to a close with the
passing of Joel A. Garza of Weslaco on June 21, 2021, at the age of
84; and
WHEREAS, Born in Weslaco on April 18, 1937, Joe Garza was the
son of Victor and Josefa Martinez Garza, and he grew up with the
companionship of four siblings, Humberto, Maria, Nora, and Victor;
in 1956, he graduated from Weslaco High School, where he played
running back and helped the Panther football team advance to the
state semifinals in 1955; he later attended St. Mary's University
while serving with the Texas National Guard; and
WHEREAS, Following his honorable discharge in 1962,
Mr. Garza began his career in social work with the Texas Department
of Public Welfare; he served as an administrator for government
assistance programs and retired in 1990 as a program director with
the Texas Department of Human Services; dedicated to his community,
he gave generously of his time and talents to numerous
organizations, including the Knights of Columbus, the Boy Scouts of
America, the American Cancer Society, and Valley Interfaith; in
addition, he was active in city politics and was instrumental in
Weslaco adopting single-member districts; he was also passionate
about agriculture, and he farmed various crops in the United States
and Mexico, growing all of his produce organically; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Garza married the former Maria Evangelina
Hinojosa in September 1961, and the couple shared a rewarding union
that spanned nearly six decades; he was the proud father of 6
children, Cynthia, Melinda, Jaime, Judith, Angela, and Joel, and
over the years, he was further blessed with 17 grandchildren; and
WHEREAS, Joe Garza possessed a generosity of spirit that
expressed itself in myriad ways, and he enriched the lives of
countless people with his warmth and kindness; now, therefore, be
it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 87th Texas
Legislature, 2nd Called Session, hereby pay tribute to the memory
of Joel A. Garza and extend sincere sympathy to the members of his
family: to his wife, Evangelina Garza; to his children, Cynthia
Cardenas and her husband, Gilbert, Melinda Garza and her husband,
Bernie, Jaime Garza and his wife, Terri, Judith Blas and her
husband, Jesse, Angela Cantu and her husband, Robert, and Joel
Garza and his wife, Lindsey; to his brother, Victor Garza and his
wife, Elva; to his brother-in-law, Claudio Perez; to his
grandchildren; and to his other relatives and friends; and, be it
further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of
Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Joe Garza.