Luciano G. Garza

Luciano "Hector" G. Garza, Jr, 85, was born into eternal life on March 8, 2022, surrounded by his loving family. Hector, aka, "Lucky", was born and raised in Weslaco, to Luciano Rios and Bacilia (Gonzalez) Garza on November 29, 1936.

On February 25th, 1962, he married the love of this life, Anita Sánchez, at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church. They would have celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary this year. He was the proud father of five children: Luciano S. "Chano", III, Hector S. (Norma), Mary Lou, Ana Maria, and Anna Linda; seven grandchildren, Hector Daniel, Jesse Robert, LisaMarie, and RoseMarie Garza; Noah Louis, Eric Gerard, Jr. and Elijah Luke Garza McGinnis and eight great-grandchildren.

Hector was a prayerful man. He prayed daily and believed that Jesus Christ was always with him. Having lost his Mom at an early age, he began working at a young age to help his father and family, selling sweet bread riding his bicycle in his local neighborhood. Growing up, he worked as a migrant farmworker alongside his siblings and cousins. Shortly after he married Anita, they moved to Chicago to seek better work opportunities. Hector worked as a garbage truck collector for Barrington. Eventually, the growing family moved back to Weslaco. He later worked as a long-haul truck driver for Sunbelt and American Plant Food hauling fertilizer and was a self-employed truck driver for many years. He was most proud of having renewed his Commercial Driver's license in April 2021.

Hector embodied a strong work ethic and was a great provider for his family. He had an entrepreneurial spirit and was always seeking new work opportunities. Although on the road often, he always took the family on summer beach and Astroworld trips. His hard work ensured that his children could have the opportunity to further their education. Hector was a sports fan; he enjoyed watching the Dallas Cowboys; but, his favorite sport was baseball and cheering for his Houston Astros. He loved a good boxing match, too, and supported the local world champion boxers, Omar and Brandon "Heartbreaker" Figueroa. He was always up for watching a good Western and Audie Murphy was his favorite actor.

Hector's heart and soul were his passion for singing and playing his 6- and 12-string guitars. He was a great musician, always serenading his wife and sharing his tenor voice with family and friends. His signature song was one that he sang for Anita at their engagement, wedding, and at her graveside, "Te Amare Vida Mia". In the 50s, he competed and won a singing contest at a Reynosa, Mexico radio station with his cousin "El Guero Reyna". They were known to perform at the iconic Benitez and Teatro Tapitan theatre in Pharr. He is featured at a Weslaco Museum exhibit for his music.

In 2007, he had the distinct honor of singing at the late Lydia Mendoza's (first recorded Mexican-American/Tejano female singer) funeral in San Antonio. Hector had a great sense of humor and loved to tell a good story. He was always in good spirits. He was a great friend; the family's rock and hero. His family could always count on him to resolve any problem. He supported his children and grandchildren's school activities, including Little League baseball, WHS Panthers Corps, and Ana's cheerleading. Hector loved to play pool and press his luck, visiting casinos with family and friends. Lucky was a great cook and his beans 'a la charra' could not be replicated. He was a BBQ grill master and always made sure everyone had eaten to their content.

Preceding him in death is his loving wife of 57 years, Anita Sánchez-Garza; his loving parents, Weslaco pioneers, Luciano Rios, Sr. and Bacilia Gonzalez-Garza; in-laws Jose Carmona and Maria Vallejo-Sanchez; his siblings, Hortencia "Tencha" Garza-Robles (Jesus G.), Cayetano "Tano", Ramiro (Oralia), Concepcion, Luisa G.Hernandez (Amado), Arnoldo G. "None" Garza, and Yolanda G. Flores.

Surviving Luciano, Jr. are his five children; seven grandchildren, listed above, and eight great-grandchildren, Milly Abigail, Jay Robert, Elías Eliborio, and Liam Matthew Garza; M'zie Joe Losoya, Mezmorie Anita Losoya, Zaniel Angel Losoya, and Zila Aree Losoya.

Also, surviving are brothers/sisters-in-law: Judge Samuel V. Sánchez (Victoria R.), Graciela, Maria Belinda, and Robert E. Sanchez (Bersaida L.); Tita and Petra R. Garza.

Visitation will be Sunday, March 13th, 1-9 pm, with a rosary and celebration of life at 7 pm at McCaleb Funeral Home and will be available via https://youtu.be/qAbwialSggs . Mass will be celebrated on Monday, March 14th, 10 am, at St. Pius X Catholic Church in Weslaco followed by burial at Sacred Park Cemetery. Pallbearers will be, Jesse Robert Garza, Noah Louis Garza McGinnis, Daniel Olivarez Jr., Joel Becerra, Guadalupe "Wally" Garza, Reynaldo "Nano" Reyna & Guillermo Esparza, Honorary, Luciano S. Garza, III., Héctor S. Garza, Héctor Daniel Garza, Eric Gerard Garza McGinnis, Jr., & Elijah Luke Garza McGinnis.