Ernesto Garza

WESLACO - Ernesto "Neto" Garza, 70, passed away at Doctor's Hospital of Renaissance in Edinburg, shortly after being diagnosed with cancer. He was born on April 15th, 1949 to Jose Garza and Salome Piña Garza in Weslaco, Texas. He was raised in Weslaco with nine siblings. Neto was drafted by the US Army when he was only eighteen years old. He served for four years in the Vietnam War. Four years after retiring from Vietnam, he met his wife, Carolina "Emma" Cardenas. They were married in 1976 and opened a barbershop together. Neto and Emma were a great team and spent the next 25 years building their clientele together. After deciding to retire, Neto got his Commercial Driver's License and began a short career in truck driving with Emma by his side operating as his co-pilot. Neto enjoyed raising roosters, fishing, motorcycles, and antique cars. He loved riding his Harley and had always talked about buying a classic car. Neto was a loving father, grandfather, and uncle. His wife, Emma, and only daughter, Monica, were his queens. When he was blessed with grandchildren, they were his pride and joy. He was a Christian man who lived a life of leadership, integrity, and discipline. Ernesto is preceded in death by his maternal and paternal grandparents, father, Jose Garza, brothers, Jose Jr. and David Garza, grandson, Jonathan Diaz. He is survived by his loving wife, Carolina "Emma" Garza, daughter, Monica, grandchildren, Ernesto Diaz, Brittany Diaz, great-grandchildren, Jenassy Monica-Marie Diaz, Jonathan Angel Diaz II, Alyssia Anahi Diaz, and Jett James, sisters, Rosie Diaz, Eloida Garza, Irene Gomez, Melda Morales (Joel), Melinda Lopez (Javier), Melissa Salinas (Fred), brother, Arturo Garza, brothers in law, Juan Cardenas (Minerva), Concepcion Cardenas (Elva), Lazaro Cardenas (Terry), Alonzo Cardenas (Norma), sisters in law, Carlota Tejada, Minerva Garza (Sammy), Carmelina Cardenas (Humberto), Cleotilde Graham (Tim), and numerous nephews and nieces. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, June 25th, from 9am-9pm at McCaleb Funeral Home in Weslaco, with a rosary at 7 pm. Mass will be held on Wednesday, June 26th, 11 am, at St Joan of Arc Catholic Church in Weslaco. Burial will follow at Rio Grande Valley State Veteran's Cemetery in Mission.