RICHARD PAUL GARZA

1965-2018

Richard Paul Garza, 52 was born in Galveston, Texas, to Connie and Gus Garza on July 20, 1965. He is survived by his wife, Jody Garza, and two sons, Burke and John Greer Garza, as well as his mother Connie Garza and his three brothers and their wives: Hector Garza, Rene and Cindy Garza, and Robert and Kathy Garza, his in-laws John and Linda Ingram of Smithville, TN, and brother in law and wife John and Lori Ingram of Shawnee, Kansas and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Gustavo Garza, and sister-in-law, Teri Garza.

Richard grew up on the Gulf Coast alongside his older brothers. After graduating from Ball High School (Galveston, TX), he attended Texas A &M University School of Architecture and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Construction Science. He was a member of Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity where he made many long-lasting friendships. He met his wife Jody Garza in 1989, proposing along the Galveston seawall and marrying her the following year. In 2004, after 15 years in the construction industry, he began his own company, Garza Program Management, which became involved in some of North Texas’ most important construction projects: the Winspear Opera House and Wyly Theater in Downtown Dallas’ Arts District, the Science Learning Center at the University of Texas at Dallas, and the renovation of all 5 terminals in Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport. As a member of the Boys and Girls Club of Dallas, he consistently gave back to local schools and club centers, speaking with Hispanic youth and spearheading the effort to renovate the club facilities. As a father, he constantly encouraged his children to be the best in sports, arts, and academics. He was an avid hunter, fly-fishermen, and loved to tailgate during football season for his Fightin’ Texas Aggies. In 2011, he received 11th place in the Aggie 100, an honor given by Texas A&M’s Mays Business School to the fastest-growing alumni-owned businesses. He was quoted at the ceremony saying, “1. Be memorable. 2. You will never have enough money to start your own company; it will never be the perfect time. So start anyway! 3. Everyone will think you can’t make it. Don’t be one of them. 4. Don’t take no for an answer; be persistent.”

He was a loving and caring husband, father, brother, son and friend who will be greatly missed.