Valdemar Garza

Valdemar Garza, 93, peacefully went to be with the Lord at his residence in Edinburg, TX, on Friday evening, December 22, 2023, while preparing coffee for his beloved wife of 73 years, Jovita Vela Garza. Valdemar was born on Saturday, June 21, 1930, to Florencio Garza and Felicitas Alaniz Garza in Hacienda de Palmitos, Cadereyta, Jimenez, Nuevo León, Mexico, and was the youngest of six siblings. He is preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, two sisters, and an older daughter Marta Leticia Garza.

Left to cherish his memory is his devoted wife Jovita Vela Garza, Ruben (Diana) Garza, Baldemar (Belinda) Garza, Juan (Rosy) Garza,  Roberto (Roselena) Garza, Jose (Martha) Garza, Miriam (Albert) García, and Richard (Adriana) Garza, 19 grandchildren, and numerous great-grandchildren.

In his earlier years in Cadereyta, Valdemar sang and played guitar in local events. He began working in the US as a teenager in various aspects of agriculture. In 1965 he moved to the Rio Grande Valley with his wife and four children, and subsequently, their family grew by four more children.  Valdemar and his family began migrating to Kansas and Colorado during the summer months and he taught his family the value of hard work. He bought a tandem truck and worked with multiple ranchers, farming and harvesting different crops. After the kids grew and he no longer traveled out of state, he became a crew leader in the Valley and transported crews harvesting citrus, onions, and watermelon.  Valdemar loved his wife and family unconditionally and cared for them deeply. He never lost his amazing quick wit and sense of humor and always maintained a positive attitude, regardless of circumstances, and in the midst of adversity. We rarely left his home without hearing many stories of his youth and life experiences. His wise advice about life inspired us to become better versions of ourselves. We will greatly miss our amazing, encouraging husband, loving Dad, dear father-in-law, adorable grandfather (“Apa”, “Welo Garza”, as his great-grandchildren called him), and neighbor.

The Garza family will receive friends on Friday, December 29, 2023 from 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM in the Chapel of Peace, Ceballos-Diaz Funeral Home, 322 East Kuhn, Edinburg, Texas. Funeral Service will be held at 10:00 AM, Chapel of Peace, Ceballos-Diaz Funeral Home with a gravesite burial to follow at Hillcrest Memorial Park, 1701 East Richardson Road, Edinburg, Texas. Having the distinguished honor to serve as pallbearers will be: Roberto Garza Sr., Robert Garza Jr, Rigo Garza, Pedro Garza, Frank Giuoco, and Cirino Robles. Funeral services are under the direction of Johnny Garcia Funeral Director/Manager and staff at Ceballos-Diaz Funeral Home in Edinburg.