Oscar L. Garza Jr.

EDINBURG - Oscar L. Garza Jr., 57, entered into eternal life on Saturday, January 18, 2014, at Amara Hospice Inpatient Facility in Edinburg. Mr. Garza was born in Edinburg and had lived there all of his life. Oscar will always be remembered for his great sense of humor, timing, and ability to bring life and laughter to any situation. Everyone knew Oscar for his generous spirit--always giving to people. Every Christmas, together with his family, Big O delivered hundreds of toys to less fortunate children. It was impossible to tell who was more excited when the toys were being delivered. With the love and support of his wife, Imelda, Oscar awarded many scholarships to Edinburg North FFA graduates. Oscar and Imelda were founding members of the Edinburg North FFA Booster Club and helped to create the Cougar and Fiesta Classics, high school stock shows to raise money every year for the ENHS FFA Booster Club scholarships. Oscar was the role model when it came to volunteering; he always gave his time to serve as an auctioneer for charities throughout South Texas including St. Joseph Catholic Church and School Turkey Fest, Driscoll Children’s Hospital, Linn/San Manuel Cook Off, Hidalgo County 4-H Hoedown, VAMOS, American Diabetes Association, Muscular Dystrophy Association, Edinburg Livestock Show, and many others. Not only was he a great auctioneer, he made the act of charitable contributions entertaining and made every auction a big success. Oscar is leaving this world better than he found it. Oscar worked hard his entire life. He grew up working with his Dad, which developed his work ethic and love of ranching. Oscar's first job was as a realtor and broker with Manning Realty, a training that would prove fruitful later in his life. He then managed La India Ranch owned by his uncle, Dr. Omar Garza and helped put them on the world Red Brahman and Indu Brazil map. Oscar then worked as a Bailiff for several years for County Court at Law 3 under Judge Richard Garcia. He then was elected to two terms as Justice of the Peace Pct. 4, Pl. 2 before switching careers to manage Bronco Bananas, a global produce company which Oscar helped grow and develop in the North American market. Oscar then successfully served as Hidalgo County Commissioner Precinct 4 for three terms. Known as a problem solver, Oscar always looked for ways to save the county money, proven by the advancement of "in-house" projects he would advocate for in order to save taxpayer dollars. Oscar could always be counted on to get the job done on time and on budget. Later in life, Oscar once again obtained success as a land developer marketing 5 to 10 acre ranches with his two masterpiece projects: A Little Piece of Texas and Los Venados Ranch Community. Utilizing his experience in real estate and marketing, Oscar helped many families accomplish their dream of owning property in the country. When it came to selling, Oscar was a natural. Oscar loved the outdoors. He enjoyed camping, hunting, showing and working cattle, but his favorite past time was team roping. He thrived on the thrill of competing against the best and won his share of events. Oscar accomplished his dream of traveling all over the United States to compete in the United States Team Roping Championship Circuit. Oscar enjoyed organizing and hosting team roping competitions in his arena, La Nopalera. He practiced daily with his close friends who will honor him at his burial on horseback with his compadre “Friday” leading Oscar's horse to the grave site. Oscar leaves a legacy of faith, love, family values, friendship, loyalty, appreciation, honesty, public service, respect, a great work ethic, and fun for all of us to remember him by. He loved people and the camaraderie of being around friends. He never met a stranger. He will always be remembered as a loving husband, dad, grandfather, friend, public servant, and businessman. He is preceded in death by his father, Oscar L. Garza Sr.; mother-in-law and father -in- law, Maria and Eduardo Bazan, and two brothers-in-law, Arnold Vera and Edward Bazan. Oscar is survived by the love of his life and wife of 36 years, Imelda Alicia Garza, of Edinburg; one daughter, Brenda Gayle (Jaime) Salazar; one son, Oscar Leoncio Garza, III (known as “Little O”) of Austin,TX; three grandchildren who he loved and adored, Julian Jose, Savannah Jai and Chloe Noel Salazar; his mother, Yolanda Guerra Garza; three sisters, Gloria Ann (Balta) Perez, Yoli (+Arnold) Vera, Clarissa Garza; a brother, Dr. Jim Garza, M.D., all of Edinburg; two sisters- in-law, Dr. Alison Garza, M.D., of Edinburg, Ramona Allen, of Bedias, TX; two brothers-in-law, Javier (Amelia) Bazan, of Harlingen and Rudy (Mariola) Bazan, of Edinburg; three uncles, Dr. Omar (Dora) Garza, Dr. Ben (Patti) Garza, both of Edinburg, Dr. Marin (Peggy) Garza, of Linn; numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. Visitation will be held from 5 to 9 p.m., with a 7 p.m. rosary Sunday, January 19, 2014, at Memorial Funeral Home, 208 E. Canton in Edinburg. Funeral service will take place at 3 p.m., Monday, January 20, 2014, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Edinburg. Interment will follow at Jesus Maria Ranch Cemetery. Serving as pallbearers will be Lucas, Michael and Rudy Bazan, Danny de la Vina, Dr. Marin Garza, Rolando J. Guerra, John Paul Hernandez, and Balta Perez. Honorary pallbearers will be Javier Bazan, Richard Garza, Carlos X. Guerra and Forrest Runnells. There will be a cowboy procession at the Jesus Maria Ranch Cemetery led by Efrain “Friday” Rodriguez and “Big O’s” roping compadres, Glenn Bell, Felix Cano, George Guerra, JP Guerra, Victor Guerra, Willie Guerra and Mike De Los Santos. The Oscar L. Garza, Jr. Family would like to thank all of the medical professionals and staff at Doctors Hospital at Renaissance, Lifecare Hospitals of South Texas, and Amara Hospice. They would also like to extend a very special thank you and appreciation to Dr. Salil Mangi. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be sent to St. Joseph Catholic Church Capital Campaign Fund or Sacred Heart Catholic Church Building Fund, both of Edinburg. Funeral services are under the direction of Memorial Funeral Home in Edinburg.