A native of Kingsville Texas, he attended H.M. King High School and joined the United States Army in November of 1967. He served in the Vietnam War during the "Tet Offensive" in 1968. Upon his return from honorable service in Vietnam, he returned to living his passion playing conjunto music with his friends and family. He married his soul mate, Criselda De La Garza, on January 02, 1971. He went on to serve as a Sergeant in the Texas National Guard for 19 years and retired from Civil Service with NAS Kingsville as a fire fighter for 22 years.
Joaquin De La Garza is preceded in death by his parents Joaquin and Gregoria De La Garza, and his brother Olemar Pena (Leyo).
He is survived by his wife Criselda De La Garza, his daughters Graciela D. Salinas, and Sonya D. Alvarado, his son Ernesto De La Garza, his son-in-law's Gus Salinas and Tony Alvarado, his daughter-in-law Aimee De La Garza. His grandchildren "his pollitos" Richard De La Garza and wife Kassidy De La Garza, Ananda Salinas, Gustavus Salinas Jr., Isabella De La Garza, Mia De La Garza, Dean De La Garza, Milana Alvarado. His great grandchild "on the way" Issa De La Garza.
Joaquin is also survived by his brothers Eloy and Larry De La Garza, his sisters Diana De La Garza, Marzulema Ramirez, and Amelia Pena. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.
In his youth, Joaquin loved running around the "colonia" with his brothers. He loved visiting his grandparent's house because they cooked the best dishes. Before Vietnam he traveled the states playing conjunto music with Perrica Perez and his brother Eloy. After Vietnam, he loved playing music at parties and bar-b-ques with his many friends and family. After he became a grandfather, his life's sole mission was his grandchildren. He always wanted to be surrounded by his wife and pollitos.
As he requested, our Merciful Lord granted his humble prayer. On Saturday December 30, 2017 he was heroically supported by his soul mate and beautiful bride Criselda and surrounded by his pollitos. He was handed to his Lord and Savior in prayers, memories, joy, laughter and tears as he breathed his last in total faith.
Visitation will be held Wednesday, January 3 from 5-9 p.m.with a Holy Rosary to be recited at 7:00 p.m. that evening at Guardian Funeral Home. A Funeral Mass will be said Thursday, January 4, at 9:30 a.m. at Most Precious Blood Catholic Church 3502 Saratoga Blvd, Corpus Christi, TX 78415, with the burial to follow at 11 a.m. at the Coastal Bend State Veterans Cemetery 9974 I 37 Access Rd, Corpus Christi, TX 78410. Military Honors will be rendered there.