Rodolfo Garza

"Death is nothing at all. It does not count. I have only slipped away into the next room. Nothing has happened. Everything remains exactly as it was. I am I, and you are you, and the old life that we lived so fondly together is untouched, unchanged. Whatever we were to each other that we are still. Call me by the old familiar name. Speak of me in the easy way, which you always used. Put no difference into your tone. Wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow. Laugh as we always laughed at the little jokes that we enjoyed together. Play, smile, think of me, pray for me. Let my name be ever the household word that it always was. Let it be spoken without an effort, without the ghost of a shadow upon it. Life means all that it ever meant. It is the same as it ever was. There is absolute and unbroken continuity. What is this death but a negligible accident? Why should I be out of mind because I am out of sight? I am but waiting for you, for an interval, somewhere very near, just round the corner. All is well. Nothing is hurt; nothing is lost. One brief moment and all will be as it was before. How we shall laugh at the trouble of parting when we meet again!" Henry Scott Holland

Mr. Rodolfo Solis Garza, 95, entered into eternal rest peacefully surrounded by his loving family on Sunday, December 13, 2015. Rodolfo Garza was a humble man, but far from being a simple man. He was a man in love with life, his wife, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. His charm would light up a room and on occasion was known to be the life of the party. His kind gestures, friendly smile, and radiant endearing demeanor will be deeply missed, but his unconditional love, above all, will be cherished in the hearts and minds of those who had the pleasure to know and love him.

Along with his wife, he sheltered many young people, gave them a home and hope for a better tomorrow. The door to his home was always open to anyone in need and without search for background.

He was a mentor, and the absolute rock and pillar for his entire family. He was a very hard working man and a fine provider whose greatest goal was to obtain a higher plateau in life for his family. His fortitude came from his upbringing in a humble family whom lost their father at a very young age. His foundation and strength was his wife Maria Rafaela whom he loved dearly and was the reason he battled for his health.

Many people don't believe in Heroes, but they may have not met our Dad. All of us have a beautiful story to tell and if you knew him you would too!

He served as a member of the Holy Name Society (Santo Nombre) from 1975 to 1995. He was a Cursillista who completed his Cursillo courses at San Francisco Javier Church in the 1960s.

Rodolfo Garza was an Army Veteran who honorably served during World War II. In his lifetime he worked for Rodriguez Pipe and Steel Company, the Laredo Air Force Base, and was the owner of the Exxon Gas Station on IH35 and Del Mar. He was also employed for many years as an Armed Guard for the Laredo National Bank where he ultimately retired. His close friends knew him as "Gero" because of his fair skin and blue eyes.

Preceding him in death are his parents: Tomas and Sofia Garza; son: Rodolfo Garza, Jr.; grandson: Rodolfo Garza, III; brothers and sisters: Pablo (Maria de Jesus) Garza, Tomas (Sixta) Garza, Amelia (Y.M.) Gonzalez and Consuelo Garza.

He is lovingly survived by his wife: Maria Rafaela Benavides de Garza; children: Ricardo (Beverly) Garza, Rosalinda (John N.) Vasquez, Janie ( Eluterio) Morales, Maria Rafaela ( Jose Julio) Gutierrez, and Blanca ( Hector) Benavides; grandchildren: Luis Garza, Maria Celeste Garza, Roxanna (Gilbert) Garza, Yvette (Frank) Benavides, Michelle (Eric) Benavides, Jiselle Garza, Trina (Roberto) Rueda, Blake (Deana) Garza, Samuel (Maricelda) Ramos Jr., Jorge (Mary) Ramos, Adolfo Gonzalez Jr., Albert (Tanya) Gonzalez, Richard (Claudia) Gonzalez, Ruby (Pedro) Vasquez, Jorge (Azeneth) Ramos Jr., Emmanuel (Angela) Ramos, Juile (Greg) Meneses, Hector (Yvonne) Benavides Jr., Christopher (Angie) Benavides, Steve (Christina) Benavides, Eric (Naomi) Benavides, and Tiphani (Carlos) Riojas; brother: Roberto ( Gabriela Maria) Garza; as well as by numerous great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, other loved relatives and friends.

The family will receive condolences on Friday, December 18, 2015 from 5 to 9 p.m. at Joe Jackson North Funeral Chapels, 1410 Jacaman Rd., with a Vigil for the Deceased and Rosary to be recited at 7 p.m.

Funeral Services will be conducted on Saturday morning, December 19, 2015 departing at 9:30 a.m. from Joe Jackson North Funeral Chapels to San Luis Rey Catholic Church for a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m.

The Rite of Committal and Interment will follow at the family plot in the Calvary Catholic Cemetery.

You may express your condolences and sign the guestbook online at: www.joejacksonfuneralchapels.com

Arrangements have been entrusted to the care and direction of the funeral service professionals at Joe Jackson North Funeral Chapels, 1410 Jacaman Rd., Laredo, Texas 78041; (956)722-8850.