Mateo Garza

Mateo Garza Jr., 79, passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 13, 2022, in Brownsville, Texas.

Mateo was born in Corpus Christi, Texas, on December 20, 1942. He was married to Dawn Marie Garza and had two sons, Stacy and Glen. Mateo served in the United States Army, where he served two tours of duty in Vietnam. After his military service, he moved to Lawndale, California, where he worked for McDonald Douglas and then Northrop Grumman as an airline structure mechanic for 20 years. When he retired, he moved to Las Vegas, Nevada.

In 2006, Mateo reunited with his high school sweetheart Esther Garza and they were married on December 31, 2006. They lived in Brownsville, Texas, where he became a loving Grandfather to his step-grandchildren, Aiden, Quinn, and Addyson.

Mateo was preceded in death by his parents, Mateo Garza and Lydia Longoria Garza, and his first wife, Dawn Marie Garza.

Mateo is survived by his wife, Esther Garza; sons Stacy Wright and Glen Ray Wright; his step-daughters Dylbia Vega and Irma Buchanan; his step-grandchildren Aiden Vega, Addyson Vega, and Quinn Buchanan; his brother Joe Valdez and sister-in-law Irene Valdez; his nieces Brenda Prosise and Janette; and nephew Sonny Valdez.


Visitation will be held Saturday, January 22, 2022, from 12:00 noon to 1:00 p.m. at Garza Memorial Funeral Home in Brownsville, TX.


A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, January 22, 2022, at 1:00 p.m. at Garza Memorial Funeral Home in Brownsville, TX. Military Honors will follow after the service under the auspices of the American Vietnam Veterans Chapter 1, Brownsville, TX.


All individuals are encouraged to follow CDC guidelines by socially distancing a minimum space of 6 feet apart, and face covers or masks are recommended.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks you to please make your donation to American Vietnam Veterans Chapter 1, P.O. Box 4443, Brownsville, TX 78523.

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