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Joe V. Garza of Brownsville passed away peacefully on Friday, August 27th, 2021, at the age of 77 due to COVID – Delta variant complications.
Joe was born on October 21st, 1943, in Port Isabel, Texas. He was born into a large family of 9 siblings (7 brothers and two sisters). At the age of 6, he and his family moved to Brownsville, Texas. His family was poor, although very happy, and he was liked by all his family members and many, many friends. He loved to dance and anything outdoors (sports, hunting, and fishing).
In 1964, when Joe was a High School senior, his father died of health complications, and he was going to drop out of high school; however, his family and friends asked him to finish, so he did. In November of that year, he married his beautiful wife, Lupita, and received “Orders” for the Navy active duty.
While on active duty (attending Radar School), on November 25th, 1965, he received a call from the Red Cross that his wife gave birth to his first child, Joe R. Garza; however, he was unable to get emergency leave from the Navy to be with his wife at that time.
He spent his naval career on the aircraft carrier, Franklin D. Roosevelt, supporting the Vietnam War Operation. During this time, he was shocked to be in the middle of warplanes, bombers on the flight deck 24/7, that we became scared, nervous, fearful, and depressed due to these surroundings. He said this was a new life for him; it no longer was “Port Isabel,” and he couldn’t believe how life had changed so quickly. Joe served honorably in the Navy from 1965 – 1968.
After the Navy, and upon return to Brownsville, he was a different person; he had changed; shortly after that, he started his second career as a Criminal Investigator for the Brownsville PD.
On April 1st, 1968, his wife gave birth to his second son, Robert Garza; and on September 9th, 1976, his wife gave birth to his only beautiful daughter, Lorrie Ann Garza. He became a grandfather when his daughter gave birth on July 22nd, 1998, to her first son, Robert Alejandro Sanchez II.
In 2002, Joe completed his second career as a Criminal Investigator, where he worked with Brownsville PD, Cameron County Sheriffs Department, Cameron County District Attorney’s office, and Cameron County Constables Office.
After retirement, he became a grandfather over and over with multiple grandchildren, Adam Sanchez - April 12th, 2004; Jordan Garza - January 11th, 2006; Tiffany Sanchez - August 27th, 2007; and Lorrie Ann Sanchez - August 3rd, 2009.
During his retirement years, he was surrounded by a large family (just as he was when he grew up), with not only loving grown children but beautiful grandchildren.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Benito Garza Sr. and Elva Reyes Garza; siblings, Benito Garza Jr., George Garza, Albert Garza, Hector Garza, and Perla Garza.
Joe is survived by his wife, Lupita Garza; children, Lorrie Garza Reed, Joe R. Garza, and Robert Garza; siblings, Delia Garza Trevino, Baldemar Garza, Rudy Garza, and Joel Garza; grandchildren, Robert Alejandro Sanchez II, Adam Jacob Sanchez, Tiffany Ann Sanchez, Lorrie Ann Sanchez, and Jordan Garza;
Pallbearers will be, Robert Alejandro Sanchez II, Mike Reed, Joseph Arrendondo, Robert Garza, Jordan Garza, and Rudy Garza.
The honorary Pallbearer will be Adam Jacob Sanchez.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Joe V. Garza, please visit our floral store.