Saúl Andres Garza, 52, passed away at Ascension Seton Hospital on Friday, May 28th in Austin, Texas following a sudden illness. Saúl was born on December 4, 1968, in McAllen, Texas to Armando and Josefa (Molina) Garza.
He is preceded in death by his sister, Melinda Ann Garza.
Saúl is survived by his loving wife Thelma Margot Alvarado-Garza and their daughter Sierra Elena Garza of Austin, Texas. He is also survived by his parents; his sister, Edna (Victor) Cruz; his brother, Michael (Belinda) Garza; his brothers-in-law, Leo (Cynthia) Alvarado, Ernie Alvarado, and Cesar Javier Alvarado; nieces and nephews, Victoria (Lanre) Alvarado Dawodu, Yvette (Ben) Alvarado, Nazario (Tiffani) Alvarado, David Garcia, Katherine (Sammy) Badillo, Annaleah Garza, Jaden Cruz, Victoria Cruz, Abram Garza, and Anika Garza.
Saúl grew up in Pharr, Texas, and enjoyed fishing and hunting since an early age. He graduated from PSJA High School in 1987 and Southwest Texas State University in 2001. Thelma and Saúl were married in San Juan, Texas, in 1994, and began their next chapter together in Austin, Texas.
Saúl was a passionate geologist and loved fossil hunting. He was employed by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) as a Geoscientist/Project Manager in their Remediation Division. He was one of the early members of the Texas Board of Professional Geoscientists.
Saúl was a true outdoorsman. If he was not at their family ranch, the 3G, or on the water, he could be found at his barbecue pit. Saúl's friends and family knew him as an excellent pitmaster and he often won competitions for his grilling skills. He was an avid hunter and "opening day" was always an important date on his calendar. He loved spending time in the mountains and on the beach.
Saúl was often the life of the party, with a special knack for making others laugh. He truly never met a stranger. He deeply cherished his wife, daughter, friends, family, and dog (Aggie). His energy, honesty, and warmth will be dearly missed by all those who knew him.
A Celebration of Life was held on June 3rd in Driftwood, TX. Visitation will be held on Friday, June 11th, from 5 to 8 p.m. with a 6:30 p.m. rosary at Memorial Funeral Home, 208 E. Canton in Edinburg. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at 9 a.m. on Saturday, June 12th, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Edinburg. Interment will follow at La Soledad Cemetery in Delmita, Texas.
A memorial fund has been established for the benefit of Sierra. For those wishing to contribute, gifts can be made via Zelle at fbosierragarza@gmail.com.
Funeral services are under the direction of Memorial Funeral Home in Edinburg.