Adolfo De La Garza Jr.

The de la Garza family of Mission, Texas is saddened to announce the passing of Adolfo de la Garza, Jr, on July 2, 2026. Adolfo was a beloved father, brother, son, grandfather, and great-grandfather. His love for God and his strong dedication to his family and community were evident for all of his life.

Adolfo de la Garza Jr. was born on November 22, 1943, in Mission Texas to his parents Adolfo de la Garza Sr and Carmen de la Garza Barrera. He lived with his sister Carmen Laura, his twin brother Luis Adolfo and his brother Omar. Throughout his childhood, Adolfo’s faith was nurtured at El Mesias United Methodist Church in Mission, where much of the family activity was centered. Adolfo had a loving childhood, surrounded by a large family, and adventurous siblings. Adolfo and Luis worked at their grandparents” general store (Exiquio and Eutimia Barrera), where they learned entrepreneurial skills and creatively made use of the store’s wood shop to craft wood items like model airplanes and gifts for the family. Adolfo and Luis also had fun operating a raspa stand outside their father's insurance agency on the weekends. During these years, Adolfo and Luis joined Boy Scouts Troop 83, where Adolfo learned to identify many trees and birds. Adolfo passed his lifelong love of nature down to his children and grandchildren.

In their youth, Adolfo and his siblings spent time camping at their family farm and helped to work and harvest the fields, occasionally, taking a wagon full of freshly harvested produce to sell it around the neighborhood for spending money. The de la Garza family enjoyed visiting family in Monterrey and would take multi-family road trips around Mexico, to places like Zacatecas, Acapulco, Guadalajara, and Saltillo.

Adolfo played clarinet in Jr. High and High School, participating in the marching band and concert band. He graduated from Mission High School in 1961, excelling in Math and Science. From there, Adolfo went to the University of Texas at Austin where he earned a Bachelor’s in Electrical Engineering in 1967. He had earned a scholarship with his clarinet expertise and played in the UT Band for his entire time in college.

Adolfo married Zelma Zelia de la Vina on June 2, 1967. They immediately moved to the Dallas area where he began his first engineering job with Collins Radio on the communications modules for the Apollo Space Missions. While in Dallas, Adolfo served as president of the administrative board, Sunday School teacher, and choir member at Emmanuel United Methodist Church.

Three years later Adolfo and Zelma moved to Brownsville where he worked for CTS Electronics.
While in Brownsville, Adolfo and Zelma had their three children: Marta Pilar, Anna Isabel and Adolfo III.
Adolfo and Zelma became members of the El Buen Pastor Methodist Church, where he taught Sunday School, sang in the choir and served on the administrative council. In 1979, Adolfo earned a Master’s in Business Administration from Pan American University (now UT RGV) and became a vice president of personnel for Eagle Bus Lines. In 1985, Adolfo and his family moved to Mission where Adolfo rejoined El Mesias United Methodist Church and served as a proud member of the choir and taught Sunday School. After having worked various jobs in executive roles, Adolfo opened his own business, a franchise of Paul Davis Restoration, a water and fire restoration company. Adolfo ran the franchise from 1995 until his retirement in 2016. In his spare time, Adolfo loved to read. His favorite subjects were the history of South Texas and Northern Mexico, and his centuries-old family genealogy.

Adolfo had deep faith in the Lord God and served Him all his life. In 1986, he joined The Gideons International to spread the Word of God. He handed out Bibles at prisons, schools, and events, and spoke at churches to raise funds for more Bibles. He held the position of President and Treasurer during many periods of his tenure with The Gideons, which lasted nearly forty years.

Adolfo was proceeded in death by his father, Adolfo Sr, his mother, Carmen, his brother Omar and his grandson, Nicolas. He is survived by his wife Zelma, his children Marta and Francois Newkirk, Anna and Mike Srivathanakul and Adolfo III and Kathleen de la Garza, his grandchildren Anthony, Victoria, Diego, Gabriela, Mateo, Ariela, and his great-grandchild Nicolas James. He is also survived by his twin brother, Luis de la Garza and Sherry Hatcher, and his sister Carmen Laura Garza.

The de la Garza family would like to thank each friend, neighbor, colleague, and family member who shared in Adolfo’s 82 years of beautifully blessed life on earth. He would want you to know that there is eternal life in Christ Jesus, and that Adolfo is now in the presence of his Savior.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you donate to Adolfo’s beloved Gideons International. Please send checks to: The Gideon’s International, P.O.Box 2671, McAllen, TX 78501.