Vicente V. Garza

Vicente V. Garza  1931-2017

A truly extraordinary man, Vicente V. Garza, passed away on August 31, 2017. He was born on August 5, 1931 to Vicente Garza, Sr. and Julieta V. Garza and was a lifelong resident of Laredo, Texas.  He graduated from St. Augustine High School with honors in 1948. He attended St. Edwards University and graduated in 1951 with a Bachelors degree in Business Administration.  He continued to expand his love of knowledge by continuously reading and learning about Real Estate Development, Law, Mechanical & Merchandise Retailing.

Vicente was a true business man at heart.  He followed in the steps of his father who taught him the art of managing businesses.  He formed many business relationships in Laredo and throughout South Texas.  While working to build his business in Laredo, Vicente continued to manage retail stores and hotels spanning from Laredo to the Valley. His most significant business accomplishments were the founding of El Rio Department Store and his most instrumental role in the development of the Riverdrive Mall in Laredo. Vicente was an innovator, always working to improve for the better.  This included his vision of improving the riverbanks of the city of Laredo.

Vicente was a traveler.  Planning trips with his family, was something he loved. From Disneyland to Greece, Vicente always made sure his family, granddaughters especially, had the opportunity to experience what life was like in another part of the world.  Hunting was another past time Vicente enjoyed.  He traveled to Colorado for many years on a hunting trip with a special group of friends.

Community life was very important to Vicente. He was named Laredo Morning Times Man of the Year. For many years, he enjoyed his morning coffee with the “Snake Pit” friends and meetings with his fellow Rotary Club friends.

Vicente was a firm believer in the educational system. He served on the Laredo Community College Education Foundation Board as well as the Mary Help of Christians School Advisory Board. Vicente always felt that every child should have a chance at an education.  Through his kindness, he sponsored many youth through scholarship programs.

Vicente was a devoted Catholic and parishioner of Blessed Sacrament Church.  He was one of the many contributors of the Laredo Catholic Consolidation Fund, which helped to fund the purchase the Ursuline Campus and relocated St. Augustine School to the Ursuline campus from the downtown location.

Vicente is preceded in death and now reunited with his parents, his brother, Jorge and his sister, Alicia.  He is survived by his wife, Irma and his daughter Irma P. Trautmann (Robert). Granddaughters, Adriana Garza, Ashley Longoria (Alcide), and Kati Edlund (Travis). Great grandchildren, Cito and Andres Longoria and Lola Edlund. Brothers, Ricardo Garza (Alma), Eduardo Garza and sisters, Violeta Zertuche (Ramon), Virginia Shuey (Rick), Juanita Fontaine and Julieta Averitt and numerous nieces and nephews.

Honoring the family’s wishes there will be a private service for immediate family members.

Funeral arrangements are by Fred Dickey Funeral & Cremation Services, 1320 Trey Dr, Laredo, TX. 78041. (956)723-3611. You may leave condolences to the family online at www.freddickey.com