Alberto (Shorty) Garza, age 84, passed away on October 5, 2024. Family will host a visitation on Sunday, October 13th from 3:00 to 5:00 PM at Heartland Funeral Home in Early. Funeral Services will be Monday, October 14th at 10:00 AM in Blanket at the First Baptist Church under the direction of Heartland Funeral Home, with interment to follow at Blanket Cemetery.
Shorty was born, Tuesday, March 19, 1940, in Los Fresnos, Texas. He married Lucila De La Rosa on August 4, 1969, in Brownsville, Texas and began a life that blessed them with a total of four children.
He was preceded in death by parents, Felix Garza and Marina Flores, sister Elena Alamillo and husband Robert, brother Jose Garza and wife Victoria, sister Dora Garza, brother Arturo Garza and wife Ephifinia, and grandson Cory Lee Albert Gresham.
Shorty is survived by his wife, Lucila Garza, and their four children Kenneth Hales and wife Mary, Lisa Rose and husband A.W., Victoria Gresham and husband H.S., and Roland Garza and wife Amber. His surviving grandchildren include, April Hales, Logan Hales, David Correia and wife Ashley, Jalisa Sutherland and husband Spencer, Natosha Clugage and husband Brian, Tiffany Whelchel, Caleb Gresham, Tory Gresham, Brooklyn Garza, and Emerson Garza. He also has 17 great-grandchildren.
The most important things to Shorty were God and his family. He loved to go to church. Shorty spent the greater part of his life with his wife and best friend, Lucy, and he really cherished all his children and grandchildren. He loved to entertain and win over the young ones with a harmonica and song. One favorite quote from Shorty was “I love you with all my heart, soul, and mind,” and he really meant it. He loved to share stories (especially ones of his beloved mother) with the younger generations. And if anyone needed help, Shorty would be there (and even before he was asked). He also loved to watch the Dallas Cowboys lose (which continues to be often).
Shorty also spent some time as a boxing coach at the state school. He really loved to work, even in his final years. Shorty could build anything and everything. Of all the things he built, none made him prouder than his precious family. And we will miss him dearly.
Pallbearers are David Correia, Logan Hales, H.S. Gresham, Chris Hood, Spencer Sutherland, and Brian Clugage. Honorary pallbearers are Calab Gresham, Wayne Correia, Atticus Correia, Zayler Chambers, and Mason Clugage.
In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to the Ronald McDonald House Charities.
Online condolences, memories and tributes can be made to the family at www.heartlandfuneralhome.net