Adolfo Garza

Adolfo Martinez Garza, 95, passed on to a better life Saturday, April 16, 2016. Funeral services will be 3:00 PM Monday, April 18, 2016, at First Baptist Church in Stanton with Pastor Ben Chavez officiating. Interment will follow at Evergreen Cemetery in Stanton. The family will receive friends from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM Gilbreath Funeral Home. He was born April 11, 1921 to Modesto Garza and Concepcion Martinez Garza in Corpus Christi, Texas. He married the love of his life, Louisa Chapa June 28, 1940 in Corpus Christi. Adolfo was raised in Corpus Christi and went to work at the age of 14. He worked for different companies; he was a cattle truck driver and also worked for Sam Cain Meat Packing Company and HEB Food Stores. In 1951 he was transferred to Lamesa Meat Packing Company. He then was transferred to Pecos where he worked for a meat packing company. In 1955 he moved his family to Martin County. Not knowing anything about farming he took a job on a farm. He worked for Ercell Burnell Howard until he took a job at Courtney School as a custodian. When the school closed down, he was transferred to Stanton ISD until the early 1970's. He then went to work for Cap Rock Electric Coop, retiring in April 1986. He could not sit still so he and Louisa took a job at Menard Baptist Camp, now known as Camp Menard, overseeing and maintaining the grounds to the camp. They returned to Stanton due to health problems that Louisa had encountered. He was a member of Iglesia Bautista Calvario (Calvary Baptist) in Stanton, serving as a deacon and song leader for a great many years. Adolfo played baseball in his early years in Corpus Christi. He enjoyed life as a whole. He loved fishing, baseball and playing dominoes with Louisa. Most of all he enjoyed life with his family and friends. He never met a stranger. He was preceded in death by his parents; his step-mother, Sofia; three infant children, Ruben, Mary Lou and Diana; one brother, Ted Garza, Sr.; and one sister, Caroling Lemos. Survivors include his wife of 75 years, Louisa Garza; one daughter, Mary Jane Gonzalez and husband, Joe of Stanton; two sons, Pat Garza of Albuquerque, New Mexico and Adolph Garza and wife, Sarah of Stanton; ten grandchildren, Mark Gonzalez and wife, Amanda; Miranda Hinojosa and husband, Jerry; Chris Garza and wife, Tara; Stacie Garza; Bree Ann Garza; Brittani Gomez and husband, Jason; Eric Garza and wife, Erin; Monica Garza; Tiffani Saucedo and husband, Anthony; and Alicia Perez and husband, Matt; 26 great-grandchildren; and 10 great-great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials to the Martin County Senior Citizens Center, P. O. Box 1233, Stanton, Texas 79782 or to Compass Hospice, 602 S. Main St., Big Spring, Texas 79720. Arrangements are under the direction of Gilbreath Funeral Home of Stanton. Online condolences may be made at www.npwelch.com