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Jose “Joe” Garza, age 83, of Corpus Christi, passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of Friday, December 30, 2022, at Corpus Christi Medical Center, after a brief illness. Jose was born on March 19, 1939, in Corpus Christi, to the late Camilo and Amparo Talamante Garza. He joined the United States Army at the age of 17, where he was stationed in Alaska. Jose married Hope N. Garza on July 4, 1987, in Houston, Texas. Together they have spent the past 35 years living a lifetime of memories. Jose was a professional truck driver by trade, where his skills as a hazmat and tanker driver where an invaluable resource for many years. Jose last worked for Groendyke Trucking for over 15 years. Jose attended the Kelsey Memorial United Methodist Church in Corpus Christi. Church was an important part of Jose’s life. Taking his children and grandchildren to church and then enjoying Sunday lunch was something that he cherished. Jose was an active member of the United Methodist Men and a longtime member of the American Legion Post 364 in Corpus Christi where he also served on the Honor Guard. Those who knew Jose best will remember Jose the fisherman as much, if not more, than Jose the man. Jose loved fishing. He made his own leaders and could fix any rod. Most of the memories that include Jose will often include fishing. Whether it be a few hours in Corpus Christi Bay, to a road trip where he would stop at every landmark he could find on the way to enjoy crabbing and fishing in Texas City, fishing was one of Joe’s favorite pass times. If he wasn’t fishing, Jose was making a mess frying fish for family and friends. No matter if he was fishing, gardening, or spending time with family, Jose would often be found listening to Tejano music on his cell phone. His love of Tejano music turned into a passion for a short time in which he was a DJ playing Tejano music all around Corpus Christi and South Texas. Jose is survived by his loving wife, Hope N. Garza; children, Joe Garza, Jr., Jesse Garza, Juanita Johnson, Steve Garza, and Lorrie Garza; step-children, Deborah Rocha, Michael Rocha, and wife Jayne, and Elizabeth Rosas, and husband Javier; siblings, Lydia Acuná, Olivia Martinez, Raymond Garza, Maria Elena Chaves, and Camilo Garza Jr.; grandchildren, Genie Garza, and husband David, Michael Garza, and wife Jennifer, Xavier Garza, Christopher Garza, Raymond Johnson, and wife Jennifer, Steve Garza, Priscilla Garza, Lorin Garcia, Bishop Garza, Evie Garza, Stephanie Gonzalez, and husband Gerardo, Ricky Sanchez, Jr., and wife Hanne, Sarah Sanchez, and Alexandra “Alex” Rocha; great-grandchildren, Vanessa Villareal, Jake Villareal, Aiden Garza, Charlotte Garza, Christopher Garza, Savannah Garza, Victoria Johnson, Matthew Johnson, Elizabeth Johnson, Abigail Johnson, Alley Garza, Layla Garza, Emily Garza, Hector Garza, Jordan Garcia, Jasmine Garcia, Aaron Garcia, Adrin Garcia, Luca Gonzalez, and Lexi Gonzalez; special neighbors, Richard and Mary McBurney; and by a host of other relatives and very special friends. He was preceded in death by one daughter, Sylvia Garza Funeral services for Jose “Joe” Garza will be held at 11:00 A.M., Saturday, January 7, 2023, at Mission Park Funeral Chapels with Reverend John Fletcher officiating. Interment with military honors will follow at Mission Burial Park South with Larry Mendoza, Michael Rocha, Paul Mendoza, Raymond Johnson III, Richard McBurney, and Steven Mendoza serving as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be Joe Garza, Jr. and Steve Garza. Visitation will be held from 10:00 – 11:00 A.M., at the funeral home.

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Jose "Joe" Garza

March 19, 1939 - December 30, 2022