Florentino Garza

1927 - 2021

FLORENTINO GARZA Oct. 16, 1927- Nov. 18, 2021 Florentino "Tino" Garza passed away peacefully November 18, 2021. He was 94 years old. Florentino was born October 16, 1927 in San Antonio, Texas. His parents were Librado Garza and Eduvijas Garza, both deceased. Florentino is survived by his loving wife, Regina "Sandy" Garza, married 70 years from April 27, 1951. Florentino and Regina had three sons, Richard David Garza, (deceased), and is survived by son, Thomas Stephen Garza, daughter-in-law, Donna M. Gunnell Garza, granddaughter, Jenna C. Schneider, husband, Brad, granddaughter, Danielle G. Garza, and son, Gregory Paul Garza, in-laws, nieces, nephews and friends. He attended high school at Menaul Presbyterian School in Albuquerque, New Mexico, received his Bachelor of Arts from the University of New Mexico (1950), his Master's Degree from the University of New Mexico (1952), and his Juris Doctorate Degree from the University of California Los Angeles (1956). He also served in the U.S. Army and was honorably discharged. Professional organizations included American Board of Trial Advocates (1974), San Bernardino County Bar Association-President (1976), American College of Trial Lawyers Fellow (1974), International Academy of Trial Lawyers (1970)-(President 1979/1980), UCLA Foundation Board of Trustees (1981), and Member B.E. Witkin Legal Institute (1996). Honors included John B. Surr Award, San Bernardino County Bar Association for exemplifying the high standards of the legal profession and the administration of justice (1987), UCLA Alumni Award for professional excellence (1991), Title of "Defender of The Jury" conferred in Madrid, Spain by the Pro-Jurado Spanish Bar Association (1992), Listed in Best Lawyers in America since first publication in 1984, Recipient "Trial Lawyer Hall of Fame" Award from the California Bar Association (1998), Recipient "Trial Lawyer of the Year" CAL-ABOTA (2000), "Florentino Garza Fortitude Award" which honors attorneys who "exhibit strength of mind that enables them to encounter danger or bear pain or adversity with great courage," Recipient CAL-ABOTA President's Award for Lifetime of Trial Advocacy (2005). Loved by his family and friends, "Tino" was highly regarded by both colleagues and the community, as well as internationally for his acumen, integrity and dignity. Many considered him "the quintessential gentleman." Tino Garza has been hailed for his brilliance and admired for his humility. He was considered one of the best lawyers in the United States. Tino enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, traveling the world with his wife, "Sandy", reading classic literature, was an avid UCLA fan attending UCLA football and basketball games for many years as well as enjoying golfing in his younger years with family and friends. The family would like to express our sincere thanks and gratitude to all of the family members, friends and caretakers who helped with providing Tino with such great care for him over the years. A special thank you to Regina Garza for her loyal and steadfast support and love for Tino these past 70 years, and especially her devotion the last three years while Tino was receiving such attentive care at Linda Valley Care Center. Services will be private for interment. A memorial service and celebration of life will be held Thursday, December 16, 2021 at 2:00 pm, First Presbyterian Church, 1900 North "D" Street, San Bernardino, California. Should friends desire, in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to First Presbyterian Church, San Bernardino, California and/or Menaul Presbyterian School, Albuquerque, New Mexico.