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Edward was born on July 1, 1950 to Elvira & Ruvencio De La Garza. He was the 4th born and has 2 older brothers, Jesse and Ruvencio, Jr. and one sister, Mary Lou Saucedo. He was preceded in death by his parents; Ruvencio and Elvia De La Garza and one bother, Ruvencio De La Garza, Jr. He joined the United States Army where he honorably served from 1969 to 1972. Edward served with the 101st Airborne Division in Vietnam in the area of the De Militarized Zone (DMZ). He was severely wounded and transported to Japan by Air Life. Twenty-one days later he was medically discharged from the hospital in Japan and transported by Air Life to the United States. He remained in the hospital state side for 11 ½ months and underwent numerous procedures and treatments at Fort Sam in San Antonio, Texas. On May 25, 1972, he was medically retired as a Sergeant. During his military career, Edward was honored with numerous awards, to include, 2 Purple Hearts, 1 Bronze Star, Army Commendation Medal, Combat Infantry Badge, Viet Nam Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Sharp Shooter Rifle (M-16), and many more. In 1973, he began his civil service career with the Department of Defense with Kelly Air Force Base. This is when he met the love of his life and the woman with whom he shared his life with, Melba Linda Silva. Edward and Melba were married on August 1, 1986. They have 5 children, Patricia Lutzenberger, Manuel Carlos (Christina) Zertuche, Stephanie De La Garza, Lori (Luis) De La Garza Rodriguez and Edward “Loni” De La Garza. They have 12 grandchildren. Family will be receiving friends on Wednesday, June 5, 2024 from 2:00 p.m. till 8:00 p.m. with his Holy Rosary to be recited at 6:00 p.m. that evening with Deacon Adam Garza officiating the Rosary. Funeral procession will depart Mission Park Funeral Chapel on Thursday, June 6, 2024 at 8:45 a.m. to St. Lawrence Catholic Church to begin his funeral mass at 9:30 a.m. with Father Arnold Ibarra to officiate the mass. Burial to follow at Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery for arrival time at 10:45 a.m. Serving as pallbearers will be Abraham J. Elizondo (Grandson), Alejandro M. Zertuche (Grandson), Nathan Isaac Rodriguez (Grandson), Edward R. De La Garza (Grandson), Edward De La Garza, Jr. (Son) and Manuel Carlos Zertuche (Son)

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Edward Villa De La Garza

July 1, 1950 - May 23, 2024