Robert "Bobby" De La Garza

On January 1, 2025, Robert “Bobby” de la Garza passed away peacefully at home. In the months, weeks, days and hours before leaving his earthly body to go to heaven, he was surrounded by many of his loved ones.

Bobby was born on October 21, 1926, to Juan and Maria de la Garza at La Punta del Monte Ranch north of Raymondville. Bobby’s family moved to Raymondville when he was six years old.

Bobby had a lifetime of achievements. After he graduated from Raymondville High School on May 20, 1944, he enlisted in the United States Navy on September 30, 1944, and was assigned to the USS ANCON in the Pacific. He was honorably discharged on June 18, 1946.  As a 19-year-old World War II veteran, he followed his father’s footsteps, a World War I veteran. He worked at Temple Lumber Company until his friends convinced him to enroll at Brownsville Junior College under the G.I. Bill. That same month he met the love of his life, Lucila, and they were married on May 12, 1947, until she passed more than 70 years later.

Bobby worked as a car dealership accountant, bank loan officer and a school district business manager and tax assessor-collector in Raymondville. Even in retirement, he worked as a consultant with the Raymondville school district.

Bobby had also been involved in many local civic activities through the years as a life-long resident of Raymondville. At various times he served as president of the Raymondville chapters of the Lions Club, Jaycees, and the Chamber of Commerce. He served at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church Parish Council and as an accountant for the weekly offerings. Bobby was elected and served on Raymondville I.S.D. School Board and the Rio Grande Valley Association of School Boards, serving as president of both boards. He was also a South Texas I.S.D. board member. Bobby and Lucila were elected as “Mr. & Mrs. Raymondville, Texas” in 2016.

An honorable man of the Greatest Generation with a sweet sense of humor, Bobby took much pride in being a WWII veteran. He was among the few still living. His favorite hobbies were reading historical books, woodworking, art and extensive traveling. His love of God, nature, and his family and friends, is exemplified by the wonderful legacy of love he leaves in us all.

Bobby is survived by his sons Bobby de la Garza, Jr. (Cindy) and Rene de la Garza (Britney), and his daughters Elva Villarreal (Fred) and Drusilla Urbina, his brother Gustavo de la Garza (Sherry) and sisters Vera Milford and Elena Felske. Bobby was blessed with 14 surviving grandchildren, 32 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great-grandchild.

Honored to serve as pallbearers are Bobby’s grandsons, Michael Villarreal, Steven Villarreal, Brian Villarreal, Joseph de la Garza, Daniel Urbina, and David Urbina.

Bobby was preceded in death by his parents Juan and Maria de la Garza, beloved wife Lucila de la Garza, brother Connie de la Garza, sister Katie Garcia, brothers-in-law Fred Garcia and Ben Milford, son-in-law Carlos Urbina, grandson Scott de la Garza, and granddaughter Angela Reyes.

The family will welcome friends on Friday, January 3, 2025, from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. at Good Shepherd Funeral Home. Celebration of life service will be held on Friday, January 3, 2025, at 7 p.m. at Good Shepherd Funeral Home.  Funeral mass will be held on Saturday, January 4, 2025, at 10 a.m. at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church. Interment will follow to his final place of rest next to his loving wife at the Raymondville Memorial Park Cemetery.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the caring hands of Good Shepherd Funeral Home, 1157 W. Hidalgo Ave., Raymondville, Texas 78580

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