Eusebio M. Garza, Jr., age 85, longtime resident of Cotulla, Texas passed away on Monday, January 7, 2013 in Corpus Christi,Texas.  He was a devoted husband and a very loving father, grandfather and great grandfather.  He was born on December 3, 1927 to Eusebio and Dolores Garza in Cotulla,Texas.  He was the eldest of nine children.

Eusebio, who was known as "Chevo" by many, graduated from Cotulla High School in May 1947.  He set his sights on service with the US Army Air Corps which later evolved into the US Air Force.  He reported to basic training at Lackland AFB in San Antonio.  After 13 weeks of training he was sent to Williams AFB is Phoenix, Arizona and from there transferred to Nellis AFB in Las Vegas, Nevada.  He served as an aircraft mechanic working on the famous P-51 Mustang and later jet fighters.

Upon his honorable discharge from the Air Force he returned toCotulla,Texasand later married the love of his life, Ernestina Villarreal on May 11, 1953.  He began his career as a salesman for Pearl Distributing Co. and Lone Star Brewery.  He later became an insurance agent for American National Insurance Company inCotulla,Texasand retired in 1976.  Eusebio opened his own photography business and studio where he served as an independent freelance photographer in the Cotulla area for over 30 years.  For the past 50 years he served as Adjutant for the American Legion Post 409. He was a very good conversationalist and enjoyed speaking to family and friends about history, the military, photography, and especially western movies of his hero John Wayne.  He was a devout Catholic and member of Sacred Heart Church in Cotulla, Texas for his entire life.

Eusebio leaves behind his devoted wife Ernestina of 60 years; his son Eusebio (Lucy) Garza, III of Corpus Christi, Texas and his daughter, Leticia Ann Garza, of Cotulla, Texas; three grandchildren, Larissa N. Garza, Adriana L. Garza, and Nicholas A. Garza; and one great-grandchild, Tristan M. Amparan.

Pallbearers will be his nephews, Jerry McHazlett, Fermin Cantu, III, Edward Ritchie, Fernando Muriel, Roland Rendon, Trinidad Rendon, and Hector Garcia, Jr.

Visitation will be held on Friday, January 11, 2013 from 5 pm to 9 pm at Peters Funeral Home, Cotulla, Texas with a Rosary to be recited at 7 pm.  A Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, January 12, 2013 at 11:00 am at Sacred Heart Church, Cotulla,Texas.  Burial ceremony will follow at Cotulla Cemetery East.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Sacred Heart Church, Cotulla, Texas in memory of Eusebio M. Garza, Jr.