José C. Garza

José C. “Joe” Garza, 87, passed on to the spirit world on Friday, May 7, 2010, at Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital.  José was from San Antonio, Texas, and was born on March 31, 1923, the eldest son of Felipe and Juana Garza.

During the Great Depression, while still in grade school, he went to work on the farm and in the cotton fields to help contribute to the family income after his father’s death. On August 4, 1942, he was united in marriage to Angelita, his life-long love.  He worked as a dairy farmer while in San Antonio as part of the homefront effort during World War II.

In 1960, he left San Antonio and moved to Racine where he and his young family could be close to his sisters and brothers as he recuperated from a black widow spider bite. José began his new career with AW Oakes & Son and became a 43-year member of the Operating Engineer’s Local 139. Working alongside fellow operating engineers in road construction, he paved the way for Southeastern Wisconsinites and operated the heavy equipment in the land reclamation project that made it possible to build the Racine Marina and the Festival Hall site. José also worked on many other road and building projects throughout Wisconsin and Illinois. When José retired, he became a volunteer at Cristo Rey Church where he made many friends.  He loved to plow snow, garden, attend pow-wows, and above all enjoyed the company of family and friends.    

José is survived by his children, Florencia Garza-Blas (Francisco), Catherine (José) Ramos, Jose F. (Patricia) Garza, Teresita Garza (Barry Peterson), Antonio (Rachel) Garza, Arturo (Saula) Garza; grandchildren, Rosanne R. Machado, Raquel M. (Victor) Villasenor, Saul Ramos, Larry (Christie) Ramos, Andrea (Dave) Brown, Angela Garza, Jose F. (Kim) Garza Jr, Nicholaus Garza, Skylar Garza, Rypley  Garza, Brie Garza, Kirsten Garza, Kaitlyn Garza, Ireland Garza, Christina Garcia, Petrolino (April) Garcia, Adrian Barelas, Lucia Chaffee; great-grandchildren, Robert A. Babilon, Zoie and Kaylie Ramos, Jenna Phillipson, Colin Joas, Mason Joas. Further surviving are his sisters, Josefina Ramos and Leonore Muniz; along with many loved nieces and nephews, beloved relatives in San Antonio and many dear friends.  Jose was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Angelita; his brothers, Roberto, Gilberto  and Estanislado Garza; and his great-grandson, Quentin Joas. 

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday, May 15, 2010, at 10 a.m. at Cristo Rey Parish, 801 College Ave., with Rev. Roberto McGlinn officiating.  Interment will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery, Hwy 32. Relatives and friends may meet with the family at the church on Friday from 5-8 p.m. and on Saturday from 9 a.m. until time of Mass. 

Special thanks to the staff at Froedtert NICU, to the staff at Froedtert Palliative, to Ruth from Harp Therapy and to Rev. Roberto McGlinn.

MARESH-MEREDITH & ACKLAM FUNERAL HOME
803 Main St., Racine   (262) 634-7888