Deacon Ricardo de la Garza, age 74, of Atascosa, Texas, passed away peacefully on Sunday, November 29th, 2020, at his home with his beloved wife and family at his side.
Ricardo was born on June 15th, 1946, to Luis and Carmen de la Garza Gonzalez.  He married Maria de los Reyes on December 16th, 1967, and had one son and two daughters.  Ricardo was a loving, hard-working, and devoted father and husband.  He was a jack of all trades and built his home from the ground up.  Ricardo loved spending time with family and friends and helping out his neighbors in need. Ricardo was also a retiree of H-E-B grocery, where he worked for 33 years.
In 1998, Ricardo became ordained from the Oblate School of Theology with the Roman Catholic Church.
As Deacon, Ricardo faithfully served his community for over 22 years.  Deacon Ricardo served his parish at Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Von Ormy, Texas, from 1998 to 2002.
In May 2002, Ricardo, together with his wife Reyes, was called to serve as a voice for the growing Hispanic communities in Long Prairie and Melrose cities of Minnesota. He served the Lord in St. Mary of Mount Carmel Parish in Long Prairie and the Church of St. Mary in the sister community of Melrose for four years.  While there, Ricardo tirelessly helped immigrant Mexican families integrate with American cultures.  He served by assisting with baptisms, pastoral formations, quinceaneras, weddings, and much more.
In 2006, Ricardo came back home to Texas and devotedly served at Divine Providence Catholic church until his death.  Deacon Ricardo always responded with a heart of service and gratitude for our lord where there was a need.  The love for his community and devotion is reflected in the faces of his friends and those who worked with him.  His kind soul and gentle heart will be greatly missed.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Luis and Carmen de la Garza Gonzalez; sisters: Maria del Refugio de la Garza Flores, Francisca de la Garza Martinez, Maria Guadalupe de la Garza Gonzalez and brother Jose Luis de la Garza.
He leaves to cherish his memories his loving wife of 53 years of marriage, Maria de los Reyes; son: Eric de la Garza and wife Maira of San Antonio, Texas; daughters: Monica Munoz and husband Hector of Eagle Pass, Texas and Edith de la Garza of San Antonio, Texas; grandchildren: Jacob Nathaniel, Lauren Danielle, Briana Elaine (Edison), Brandon Daniel, Isabella Claire, Joshua Thomas, Claudia Edith, Madilyn Nicole, and Eric Jr.; great-granddaughters: Katalina, Triniti, Anais, and Emilia; sisters: Juanita de la Garza Villarreal (Jaime) and Maria Dolores Mendoza; nieces, nephews, and many other family members and friends.
Memorial Contributions:
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in memory of Deacon Ricardo to Divine Providence Catholic Church on Pearsall Road, San Antonio, Texas.  All funds received will be used for the building of the Community Center.