Javier Garza

Javier Garza

February 9, 1930 – August 27, 2023

Javier Garza, 93, entered eternal rest on Sunday, August 27, 2023

A first-generation Texan and American, Javier was born on February 9, 1930 and raised in Laredo, Texas. He lost his mother at the age of seven so was raised after that by his father who ran a small general store out of their home in the historic El Azteca neighborhood. After graduating from St. Augustine High School in 1947, Javier immediately went to work as a messenger for the Laredo National Bank, but then quickly trained in departmental operations. Though lacking a college education, he enrolled at SMU’s prestigious Southwestern Graduate School of Banking and continued advancing up the ranks at LNB. His terminal role at the bank was Executive Vice President in charge of the International Department.

While at LNB, Javier was recognized as “the most knowledgeable U.S. banker in the entire country on the banking system in Mexico…who knew all of the Mexican bankers and wrote a thesis on the subject at banking school.”

 All told, “Mr. Garza” as he was respectfully referred to, devoted fifty-one years of service to LNB, but remained a trusted consultant to the bank and others during his “retirement.”

Javier Garza’s passion and work ethic at LNB were mirrored in his service to the community. He served as President of the Laredo Chamber of Commerce, as Board Chairman and also Interim Executive Director for the Laredo Development Foundation (now LEDC), and President of the Logistics and Manufacturing Association (LMA).

One of his greatest contributions, though, was his efforts to establish the Maquiladora twin plant industry that became a major stimulus to growth in “Los Dos Laredos” in terms of both retail trade and jobs from warehousing and distribution. Those companies include GM, Ford, Castings Metals Inc, Rheem, Caterpillar, Kodak, Sony and many others.

In the late ’70s, Javier almost alone caused 90% of Mexican coffee to come to warehouses in Laredo by truck, instead of shipped by boat to New Orleans, as had been the routine. He also was instrumental in the establishment of Laredo’s first cold storage facility, which moved millions of pounds of frozen product to Laredo from the Rio Grande Valley.

Javier Garza has also been described as “a one man watch dog to be sure customs processed Mexican exports efficiently and were not harassing honest Mexican shippers. He made it his mission to befriend each new Port Director and remained friends as long as he could. It made a huge difference in building more trade volume via Laredo.”

At the state level, Javier was appointed by then Governor George W. Bush to a term on the Texas Department of Economic Development, and nationally was appointed to the Board of the District 11 Federal Reserve Bank based in Dallas.

His record of exemplary service to Laredo National Bank, his beloved Laredo, and the State of Texas, though was matched by his humility. Throughout his career, Javier Garza received numerous awards and accolades, but always stated that there were others more deserving of the recognition. One of his closest friends and longtime colleague at LNB says “He was the most knowledgeable and a very good communicator. He was the rare start from nothing Mexican American who never tried to hold others under him back. He always tried to help them grow in their careers and was a friend of the little guy.”

Javier was very proud of his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, and his devotion to his beloved wife Cristina, which spanned seventy-three years. He is known for making the best guisado in the family, which he frequently had in large batches at the ranch for visitors.

He took great enjoyment in maintaining a succession of ranches in South Texas. He was also an avid and expert hunter of whitetail deer. He loved having family at the ranch for holidays and weekends, and always ensured his grandchildren learned something valuable while there.

Javier’s life was punctuated by five recurring themes that brought him great joy: family, hunting, civic duty, banking, and business, and maintaining his ranches.

And when Javier was not hard at work at the bank, engaged in important community work, or maintaining the ranch, you might just find him at a favorite gathering place telling stories and enjoying time with dear friends.

Javier was preceded in death by his parents, Felix Garza and Francisca Salinas Garza, brother Luis Garza, son Roberto Javier “Bobby” Garza (Celina Ridge), and grandchildren Christopher David Garza and Nicholas Eduardo Garza.

He is survived by his wife, Cristina Vela Garza, and their children Lauro Alfonso “Larry” Garza (Ginnie), daughter Adrienne “Ruzzie” Parrish (David), and Dr. David Eduardo Garza (Linda), grandchildren Evan Garza, Cristina Garza, Lauren Garza, Morgan Garza, Joseph Garza, Laura Parrish, Mary Parrish, and great grandchildren Kai Garza Tissington, Sena Garza Tissington, Nino Copano, Roma Copano, and Felix Copano.

The family will be receiving condolences on Friday morning, September 8, 2023 from 8 to 10:30 a.m. at Joe Jackson North Funeral Chapels & Cremation Services, 1410 Jacaman Rd.

Funeral Services will be conducted on Friday morning, September 8, 2023 departing at 10:30 a.m. from Joe Jackson North Funeral Chapels to St. Patrick Catholic Church for a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 11 a.m.

Rite of Committal and Interment will follow at the family plot of the Calvary Catholic Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be: Dr. David Garza, Larry Garza, Evan Garza, Dan Ridge, David Parrish, Haynes Todd, and Vicente “Chente” Villarreal.

The family would like to extend their most heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Luis Benavides and staff, and to Javier’s personal caretaker, Gabriela Castillo.

You may express your condolences, share your favorite memories, and sign the guestbook online at: www.joejacksonfuneralchapels.com

Arrangements have been entrusted to the care and direction of the funeral service professionals at Joe Jackson North Funeral Chapels & Cremation Services, 1410 Jacaman Rd., Laredo, Texas 78041; (956)722-8850.