Eagle Passan Humberto “Beto” Garza Passes Away at Age 79
By: Ricardo E. Calderon, Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc., Copyright 2023
Eagle Passans mourn the passing of local retired banker, former Eagle Pass City Councilman, Citizen of the Year, former radio disc jockey and personality, master of ceremony, and extraordinary community volunteer Humberto “Beto” Garza on Saturday, June 10, 2023, at his home in Eagle Pass, Texas accompanied by his beloved wife, Cecilia S. Garza, children, and family at his side.
Humberto “Beto” Garza, Sr. was born in Eagle Pass, Texas and graduated from Eagle Pass High School in 1961. He earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Business and Communications from Saint Edward’s University in Austin, Texas in 1965,
Upon graduating from Saint Edward’s University, he returned to work for the Eagle Pass Independent School District as an elementary school teacher and later with the Texas Employment Commission. In 1977, he was named the Branch President of First Savings and Loan Association in Eagle Pass, developing into a distinguished 37 year career as a banker with 11 financial institutions in the community before retiring on March 31, 2014.
Garza loved music and joined a local radio station as a part-time radio personality and disc jockey, spinning the the favorite songs of the community for 16 years. His passion for music and radio personality led him to participate in the Tejano Music Awards, becoming the first person from Eagle Pass to become a presenter at the awards at the invitation of Tejano Music Awards Co-Founder and former Executive Director Rudy Trevino, also a native Eagle Passan, as well as collect one of the largest music libraries in Texas.
He also formed his own music disc jockey business known as Garza Sound System and played at hundreds of weddings, quinceneras, birthday parties, and events throughout Texas. His soft soprano voice as a radio disc jockey earned him hundreds of invitations to serve as Master of Ceremony at many events throughout Texas.
His genuine love and commitment to improving the quality of life for the citizens of Eagle Pass caused him to run and get elected to the City of Eagle Pass City Council and volunteer in many distinguished non-profit organizations in the community such as the Eagle Pass Lions Club, Eagle Pass Little League Baseball, Eagle Pass Boys Club, Eagle Pass Chamber of Commerce, and co-founded the Eagle Pass High School Mighty Eagle Band Booster Club. He served in many leadership positions in these community organizations, including the Mighty Eagle Band Booster Club, Eagle Pass Little League, Eagle Pass Lions Club, Eagle Pass Chamber of Commerce, and many others.
His unselfish dedication to the citizens of Eagle Pass, particularly the youth of the community, was noticeable and recognized, earning him many community awards such as the first Citizen of the Year Award by the Eagle Pass Chamber of Commerce, a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Eagle Pass Business Journal Awards, an Outstanding Citizen Proclamation from the City of Eagle Pass City Council, the Title of “Don” established by Proclamation by the Maverick County Commissioners Court, the dedication of the Christmas Telethon in his name by the organizing committee, and many other numerous awards in the community and business arena.
He also served on the Board of Directors of the Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas Gaming Authority of the Kickapoo Lucky Eagle Casino.
Garza was deeply loved, respected, and revered by the citizens of Eagle Pass and business community for his robust smile, friendliness, and passion to serve the people of the community in order to improve the quality of life for present and future generations. His love and energy for his community was relentless and boundless.
Funeral arrangements for Humberto ”Beto” Garza are as follows: Visitation will be held on Friday, June 16, 2023, from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. with a Rosary at 7 p.m. at Yeager Barrera Mortuary, 1613 Del Rio Blvd., Eagle Pass, Texas, Telephone No. (830) 773-3211. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, June 17, 2023, with a mass to be celebrated at Saint Joseph Catholic Church, 800 N. Comal Street, Eagle Pass, Texas and followed by interment at Our Lady of Refuge Catholic Cemetery, 1679 Flowers Street, Eagle Pass, Texas.
Garza will be greatly missed by all in the community. Rest in peace, Humberto “Beto” Garza.
The Eagle Pass Business Journal conveys its deepest condolences and sympathies to his wife, Cecilia, and family on his passing.
