Eliberto "Beto" Garza

Eliberto "Beto" Garza , 82, passed away on July 12, 2017, at his residence in Brownsville, Texas after his hard fought battle with gastric cancer.

Beto was born in El Ranchito, Texas to Leobardo Garza and Dolores Garcia in June of 1935. He was a good student as an adolescent and was the first in his family of nine siblings to graduate from high school. After working a few years at various jobs, he joined the army and while in the military, he married his life partner of 57 years, Elida Mandujano. Beto became a Police Officer in the mid-1960s and advanced within the Brownsville Police Department serving his community for 28 years. While employed as a police officer and with the assistance of the military, he enrolled and proudly graduated from Pan American University with a Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice in the late 1970s. Beto retired from the Brownsville PD in 1994 and enjoyed 23 years of retirement life traveling many areas of the United States and visiting his favorite casinos in Louisiana and Las Vegas.

Beto loved playing the slot machines and won more often than not. But most of the time, he was seen eating out with his wife by his side all around Brownsville. He was known and loved by so many people in this community for his kind and calm but always joking manner. He loved dancing with his wife, Elida, but also loved the outdoors and spent many hunting seasons with his compadres at deer leases. He became a grandpa shortly after retiring and also loved spending time with his 5 grandchildren and 2 step-grandchildren but the baby, "Victoria" held a very special place in his heart. He loved driving her to and from school most of her elementary years.

Beto is preceded in death by a son, Eliberto Garza Jr., his parents Dolores and Leobardo Garza; his siblings: Angelita Pedraza, Ismael Garza, Manuel Garza, Juan Garza, and Idalia Benavides.

Beto is survived by his wife, Elida M. Garza; 3 children: Elsa Belinda (John Patlan) Garza, Leo E. (Alma) Garza, and Edna Lisa Garza; 5 grandchildren: Sarah Patlan, Sean Patlan, Isaac and Erick Garza, and Victoria Cavazos; and 2 step-grandchildren Raul Ballí and Victoria Bermudez. Beto will also be missed by his sisters: Estela Rodriguez, Alicia Garza, and Lupita Leal along with numerous nieces, nephews, friends, and extended family members.
Visitation will begin at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, July 14th, 2017, and continue through 9:00 p.m. in the East chapel at Darling-Mouser Funeral Home. The American Legion Funeral Honor Guard will render military honors at 6:30 p.m. followed by the BPD "Last Call" prior to the recitation of the holy rosary which will begin at 7:00 p.m. Friday evening. The Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 15th, 2017, at St. Mary's Catholic Church, 1914 Barnard Road. All services will conclude after the Mass, and in accordance with Beto's wishes cremation will follow.

Isaac Garza, Sean Patlan, Erick Garza, Armando Benavides, Ernesto Leal Jr., and Robert "Bobby" Garza are honored to be serving as Beto's pallbearers.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts in Beto's name may be made to VA Texas Valley Coastal Bend Health Care System, 2701 South 77 Sunshine Strip, Harlingen, Texas 78550, 956-430-9200, and www.texasvalley.va.gov.

The family would like to extend their gratitude to the many doctors and nurses at MD Anderson and Texas Oncology with special thanks to Drs. Blum and Boek for their care and treatment of Beto and Dr. Ayala from the VA Clinic in Harlingen along with the many nurses from Kindred Hospice who served him and the family while he was in hospice care at his home.

Visitation

DarlingMouser Funeral Home
945 Palm Blvd.
Brownsville, TX  78520
Friday, July 14, 2017
5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Service

DarlingMouser Funeral Home
945 Palm Blvd.
Brownsville, TX  78520
Friday, July 14, 2017
7:00 p.m.

Funeral Mass

St. Mary Mother of the Church
1914 Barnard Road
Brownsville, TX  78520
Saturday, July 15, 2017
10:00 a.m.

Cemetery

Val Verde Memorial Gardens Crematory
Donna, TX  78537

Memorial Contributions

VA Texas Valley Coastal Bend Health Care System
2701 South 77 Sunshine Strip
Harlingen, TX  78550