Funeral services for Antonio “Tony” Florez Garza Jr., 64, of Albert Lea will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday at Crossroads Evangelical Free Church. The Rev. Glen Stevens will officiate. Interment will be at Hillcrest Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday at Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home and one hour prior to the service at the church.
Antonio died Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2008, at his daughter’s home surrounded by his family.
Antonio Florez Garza was born on Sept. 13, 1944, to Antonio Iglesias and Saragoza (Florez) Garza in Crystal City, Texas. He attended Lubbock Commercial College. Antonio worked at several jobs including a restaurant, hospital, Queens and owned a service station. He came to Minnesota as a migrant worker and later worked as an advocate for migrant workers. Antonio was most recently employed by Advance Food Company, as a truck driver/trainer. Antonio loved music and playing guitar, which he played in many bands including the D.R.A.T. Band and the Jalapeno Band. He also loved to make people laugh and spending time with his grandchildren. Antonio was also passionate about pool and won many tournaments. He was well known for his pool playing in southern Minnesota and Oklahoma.
Survivors include his children, Toni Lynn Garza, Christina (Doug) Weigel, Amy Garza, David Garza and Melissa Ramey; grandchildren, Reynaldo and Antonio Quesada, Darian, Darik and Jaydon Weigel, Alixandra, Esteban, and Cristian Garza, Landon and Kyla Garza, and Trenna Helms; brothers, Jesse (Tonia) Mendez, Joe (Monica) Mendez, Robert (Susie) Garza and Richard (Gloria) Garza; sisters, Rosa Mendez and Leonor Leal; and many nieces and nephews.
Antonio was preceded in death by his parents; son, Mark Garza; granddaughter, Natasha Weigel; brother, Ray Mendez; brother-in-law, Fidel Leal; and special friend, T.J. Rowley.
God saw you getting tired and a cure was not to be, so he put his arms around you and whispered, “Come to Me.” With tearful eyes we watched you and saw you pass away and although we love you dearly we could not make you stay. A golden heart stopped beating hard working hands at rest. God broke our hearts to prove us he only takes the best.