Rick “Joe Richard” Garza, 56, passed away following complications from ALS on March 24, 2024 in Corpus Christi, Texas.

Rick, a loving husband and father, was known for his kindness, intelligence, and passion for coaching and sports. He inspired countless young women on the softball field, instilling in them the values of confidence, leadership, and hard work. Even in the face of difficult situations, he was known to be wise, level-headed, and a great mediator. He was patient and taught that there is a process to achieving worthwhile goals.  “Trust the process.” he would often say. Rick was also a proud Texan and American, with a strong sense of patriotism and love for his country.

Rick graduated from The University of Texas at Austin and was a financial advisor for over 30 years. He dedicated his career to helping others secure their financial futures. Rick loved the game of softball and spent the last 12 years of his life coaching, creating a positive impact on the lives of many young athletes and their families.  With his family he lived and worked in Southwest Austin for 25 years and recently moved to Corpus Christi.

Rick was strong in his Catholic faith. Even as he battled with ALS, his faith strengthened for him to see God working throughout his life. Despite his illness, he enjoyed attending Mass with his wife and youngest daughters.

Rick was preceded in death by his mother, Evangelina Garza; father, Manuel Garza, and sister, Diane Garza. He is survived by his wife, April; children, Jacob, Rebekah, Adah, and Eliana Garza; his brother, Manuel Jr and sister-in-law Maria Garza and their children Geoffrey Garza and Sarah Flores. He will be dearly missed by his family and a wide circle of friends and colleagues.

Services for Rick will be held at Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church (605 Karnes St, Kenedy, TX 78119), on Saturday, April 6. The schedule includes a viewing at 8:30 – 9:30 am, followed by a Rosary at 9:30 and funeral Mass at 10:00 am. A luncheon will be held after the Mass in the church fellowship hall. In lieu of flowers, please consider a financial contribution to www.ALS.org/donate.

The burial ceremony will be at a later date this spring (TBD) at Loma Alta Cemetery in Kenedy.

Ms. Emma De La Garza Alaniz of Kenedy TX, passed away peacefully on Friday March 22nd, 2024 at the age of 86.  She was born in Coy City, TX on October 10, 1937 and was the youngest daughter of the late Seraprio and Petra De La Garza.  She is preceded into death by her parents, siblings Elena DeLeon, Eva Salas, Minnie Friesenhahn, Pedro “Pete” De La Garza, Israel De La Garza and Adam De La Garza.  She is survived by her children Michelle Alaniz of Kenedy, Sandra Villanueva (Domingo) of Kenedy, Rudy Diaz (Sylvia) of Hebbronville, and Larry Diaz (Linda) of Karnes City.  She is also survived by her grandchildren Larry L. Diaz of San Antonio, Derek Villanueva (Cheryl) of Corpus Christi, Jillian Quintanilla of San Antonio, Jeremy Villanueva (Shawna) of Floresville, Jenna Dziuk (Kory) of Falls City, Megan Rahmes (Lawrence) of Austin and 11 great grandchildren.  She is also survived by Isidro Alaniz of Kenedy. 

Emma was a beloved mother, grandmother, great grandmother and friend to many.  She grew up in Coy City and eventually began raising her own family in Kenedy.  Later she spent time living in Alabama, Iowa, and Illinois, and ultimately ended up back in Texas.  She worked various roles throughout her life which consisted of being a server at Leicke Drug Store, teacher aide at Kenedy Head Start, and nurse aide at Kenedy Hospital.  The work that she was most proud of was her role as a Social Worker for the Texas Department of Human Services overseeing Karnes and Wilson County where she dedicated 25 years of service.  This role led her to residing in Floresville for a number of years.  She was parishioner of Sacred Heart Catholic Church of Floresville as well as a member of the Guadalupana Society.  Emma loved to volunteer her time with The Sacred Heart St. Vincent de Paul Society to help those in need throughout Floresville. In her free time she enjoyed spending time with her family and friends, watching novellas, shopping, and attending dances with her daughter Michelle. In her final days, she was a resident of John Paul II Nursing Home, where her family extends their gratitude for the care that she received.

Visitation will begin on Tuesday March 26th at 5:00pm followed by the Rosary at 7:00pm at Eckols Funeral Home.  The Funeral Mass will be on Wednesday March 27th at 10:00am at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Kenedy.  She will be laid to rest at Loma Alta Cemetery in Kenedy.  Paul bearers serving are Derek Villanueva, Jeremy Villanueva, Darren Villanueva, Domingo Villanueva, Larry L. Diaz, and Lawrence Rahmes.

Gregoria A. Trevino, Age 100 of Smithville, TX passed away on March 12, 2024.  She was born on September 11, 1923 in Pawnee, TX to the late Encarnacion and Petra Gomez Aguirre.  She married Jose L. Trevino who precedes her in death; was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great grandmother and of the Catholic Faith.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Jose L. Trevino; parents, Encarnacion and Petra Gomez Aguirre and a son Eustolio Trevino.

 She is survived by her children, Israel A. Trevino and wife Criselda, Erma Trevino and Augustin, Benito Trevino and wife Oralia, Rosalinda Galvan and husband Roland, Yolanda Figueroa and husband Esteban, Joe A. Trevino, Jr., Oralia Trevino, 31 grandchildren, 67 great-grandchildren, 34 great-great-grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews and family members.

Family Visitation will be Friday, March 22, 2024 from 6PM to 9PM with a Holy Rosary recited at 7:30PM in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel.  Funeral Mass will be celebrated Saturday, March 23, 2024 at 10AM at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church, 605 Karnes Street, Kenedy, TX 78119 with the Rev. Robert Ploch officiating.  Interment will follow in the Loma Alta Cemetery in Kenedy, TX.

Serving as Pallbearers: Eustolio Trevino, C.J. Kuglin, Jaime Figueroa, Steve Figueroa, BJ Trevino, Michael Trevino, Ricky Trevino, Israel Trevino, Daniel Pena, Anthony Caballero, Joey Caballero, Cesar Garcia, Jesse Pena, Manuel Trevino, Joey Kuglin and  Anthony Kuglin.

All are invited to a light meal after the committal services to the Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church Parish Hall to celebrate the 100 years of Mom’s Life.

Beloved husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather, passed away March 9, 2024, in Amarillo, TX at the age of 80.
He was born in Runge, TX, June 5, 1943.
He proudly served in the U.S. Army for the 25^th Infantry Division, completing his mission as a helicopter gunner during the Vietnam War 1966, earning several metals and badges from the 173^rd, 82^nd, and 101^st units.
He then returned back to Runge, TX, his hometown and married his wife, Anita Aquilar, eventually moving to Gruver, TX.  He worked as a farmer for 22 years, then moving to Amarillo, TX for the remainder of his life.
He was temporarily employed as a truck driver from state to state, then pursuing a career as a TDC Officer for many years.  In later life, he retired from the City of Amarillo as an Arborist, leaving his mark in various parks of Amarillo by planting trees.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Fernando Rios, Sr. and Vicenta De Los Santos; Siblings, Robert, Salvador, Edward, Manuel, Veronica and Jesus.
He is survived by siblings, Fernando Rios, Jr., Del Fina Vasquez, Elena Rios and Leticia Lasoya.
Feliberto is also survived by his wife of 56 years, Anita Aguilar Rios and their four children, Raquel Rios James, husband of Shane of Amarillo, TX, Yvonne Rios Darcy of San Antonio, TX, Sue Ann Rios of Irving, TX; His Grandchildren include Adrian Darcy, Anthony Rios, Dakota Rios, Diego and Ava Garza; In addition to two Great Grandchildren.
His life and legacy will be celebrated at Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church, 605 Karnes St., Kenedy, TX.  Private viewing will be from 8:45am to 9:30am, Rosary and Mass will be from 9:30am to 11:00am, followed by graveside service with Military Honors in the Runge Latin American Cemetery.

Serving as Pallbearers: Anthony Rios, Danny Rios, Jesse Rios, Jr., Joey Segura, Fernando Rios, III and Matthew Lasoya.

Viola Elizondo, age 84 of Houston, TX passed away on February 9, 2024 in Houston, TX.  Wiola was born on May 19, 1939 in Runge to the late Castulo and Carmen Gonzales Garcia.  She was a loving wife, mother, sister of the Catholic Faith and she will be greatly missed.

Viola is preceded in death by her husband Emerico Elizondo and a son Jaime Elizondo.

Viola is survived by her daughter Judy Ann Ramirez of Houston; son Johnny Joe Elizondo of Houston; sisters, Nympha Vasques of Pettus, Eloisa Aguirre of Corpus Christi, Cecilia Garza of Runge, Maria Helena Gonzales of Alvin; brothers, Victor Garcia of Brady, Castulo Garcia of Houston and a host family members.

A Graveside Service will be held Thursday, February 15, 2024 at 1PM in the St. Ann’s Catholic Church Cemetery in Nordheim, TX.

Burton “Burt” Anson Utley, Jr.

1949-2024

Burt Utley, beloved husband, father and rancher, died on his ranch at the age of 74.  Burt was raised by his grandparents, Mae and Noble Renshaw on a ranch near Freer, Texas.  He enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1968 at the age of 18, served a tour of duty in Vietnam in Reconnaissance, and also served with the Republic of Korean Marines in their Reconnaissance Force, the White Tigers in 1969.  After returning to the States, he was sent to Naval Justice School and was a certified stenographer and sent to work for the Judge Advocate General with Top Security Clearance.  He was honorably discharged from the Marine Corps with the rank of Sergeant in 1971, but his military brothers were never far from his thoughts.    

He went on to obtain his Bachelor of Science and Master’s Degree from Texas A&I University in Kingsville.  In his early post-collegiate career, he was a high school teacher, coach and elementary principal.  He took particular joy in shaping young minds and often spoke of the children he helped become adults.  He believed in the power of education and wanted the very best for our children and the teachers who devoted their lives to their development, so he served two terms on the Pettus Independent School District Board and one term as President of the Board.

In 1970, he married his high school sweetheart and love of his life, Mary Helen McNair.  Together, they raised one daughter, Sarah Jane, and spent a lifetime together – a union shaped through adventure, hard work, and thousands of ordinary days that turned into an extraordinary lifetime of profound togetherness.  Burt found God in nature and so they built a cattle ranch that raised award winning Registered Santa Gertrudis cattle.  While Sarah Jane was growing up, he found delight in lovingly devoting his time to her 4-H projects and showing Santa Gertrudis heifers across the country.  Burt had endless energy and unconventional pastimes.  He was adventurous and a risk-taker – he loved to technical ice climb and snow ski, often out of bounds.  He found freedom in flying his plane – and took mischievous joy in sometimes scaring his passengers with dramatic drops or rolls. He took pride in his marksmanship and recalled the best hunt he ever had – he bugled an elk for almost an hour and shot him at over 500 yards across a ravine with my grandfather’s old 30-06 rifle.  He will be remembered for his devotion to his family, loyalty to his fellow Marines and brothers in arms, and willingness to help a friend or neighbor. 

We give thanks for the gift of his life and take comfort that as Burt now goes to guard heaven’s gates, his leatherneck brothers await to welcome their loyal compatriot home.

Burt will be dearly missed by his wife of 54 years Mary Helen; daughter, Sarah Jane Utley and her soulmate Rudy Palomo of Houston; uncle, Henry R. Sling of Corpus Christi; aunt, Joyce Cole of Corpus Christi; sister, Cindy Thompson and her husband, Tim of Corpus Christi; and nieces, Toni Davis and her husband, James of Corpus Christi; Terri Faver, of Corpus Christi; and Kimberly Kelly and her husband Patrick of Tomball, as well as many other close friends.  He is preceded in death by his grandparents, Mae and Noble Renshaw and uncle, W.G. “Dub” Cole, Jr.

Memorial Services will be held Friday, March 1, 2024 at 10AM in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel. Inurnment will follow in the Choate Cemetery in Choate, TX.

Memorial donations may be made in leu of flowers to St. Jude Children’s Network or the Salvation Army.

Dorothy Luckenbach age 95 of Tuleta, Texas passed away Sunday, February 25, 2024. Dorothy was born on April 14, 1928 in Skidmore, Texas to Frank and Lela (Hickman) Berthold. She was the eldest of their two children and preceded in death by her parents, Frank Oscar and Lela Mae Hickman Berthold, a brother, Jesse Berthold and a son, Albert A. Luckenbach, III.

Dorothy married A. A. Luckenbach, Jr., and the two enjoyed traveling the U.S. with his work. She was a loving mother, grandmother and friend. She was of the Christian faith and a member of the First Baptist Church of Tuleta, a Sunday School teacher, a kindergarten teacher at one time and a long-time homemaker.

She is survived by daughters, Carla Luckenbach Bailey and Melinda Luckenbach Cobb; son-in-law Gary Cobb; grandchildren, Lanette Bailey, Brian Cobb, Amanda Luckenbach; great-grandchildren, Madison Malaer, Ashlee Malaer, Jaxson Malaer, and Colton Malaer; Weston Cobb and Aaron and Piper Luckenbach

Family Visitation will be Saturday, March 2, 2024 from 9AM to 10:30 AM in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel with Services starting at 10:30 AM with Pastor Glenn Killam officiating.  Interment will follow in the Evergreen Cemetery in Skidmore, TX.

Serving as Pallbearers are Gary Cobb, Brian Cobb, Jaxson Malaer, Hugo Carrillo, Jayce Constante, Michael James, Chris Gonzales and Cody Morales.

Thomas Rudolf Polasek age,93 of Hobson, Texas died February 21, 2024 in Floresville, TX. He was born Dec. 4, 1930 in Coy City to Tom and Alice Bordovsky Polasek.

Tom was preceded in death by wife of 57 years Dawn Bratulich Polasek, his parents Tom and Alice Polasek, brothers James Polasek, Rudolph Polasek, sisters Frances Zidek, sister-in-law’s Mary Polasek, June Polasek, brother-in-law’s Charlie Zidek, Nick Kroll, daughter in law Sandra E. Polasek and Grandson-in-law Ramon Castillo.

Tom is survived by his children Cynthia Gowen of Sallisaw, OK, Mike Polasek of Hobson, TX, Zac and Jan Polasek of Yukon, OK, Kathy Polasek of Sallisaw, OK, Fr. Jeff Polasek of Bixhy, OK, Angela and Gary Cox of Sallisaw, OK, Brother, Mike and Ruby Polasek of Coy City and a Sister Jo Ann Kroll of Kenedy. 13 grandchildren, 29 great grandchildren and 4 great, great grandchildren.

Tom was a US Navy veteran, worked for Union Carbide in Victoria, TX before moving his family to Oklahoma.  After moving to Oklahoma Tom managed a Truck Stop, worked for NAPA and ran a few cattle.

After retiring he and his wife moved to Hobson where he enjoyed working in his shop and working with old tractors and hit and miss engines.  Tom made many types of furniture and various metal crafts.  Mostly Tom enjoyed as he called it shooting the bull with people.  He loved a good joke and a cold beer shared with family and friends.

Pallbearers will be his grandsons Jimmy Gowen, Danny Gowen, Jason Polasek, Jake Polasek, Josh Polasek, Seth Polasek, Trevor Teague.

A Rosary will be recited Monday February 26, 2024 at 6:00 PM at the Eckols Chapel.  Mass will be held Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2024 at the St. Boniface Catholic Church in Hobson, TX at 10:00 AM with his son Fr. Jeff Polasek officiating.  Interment will be in the Hobson Catholic Cemetery.

Ubaldo G. “Chole” Sanchez, Age 83 of Kenedy, TX passed away on February 20, 2024 in San Antonio, TX.  Chole was born on November 29, 1940 in Nordheim to the late Joe Richard Sanchez and Pilar Gonzales Saldana.  He was a master carpenter, loving father, grandfather, great-grandfather and a member of Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church.

Chole is preceded in death by his parents, Joe Richard Sanchez and Pilar Gonzales Saldana; children, Augustina Sanchez, Diana Sanchez, and Joe Henry Sanchez.

Chole is survived by his children, Victoria Longoria and husband Sheddy of Kenedy, Ubaldo “BeBe” Sanchez and wife Mary Ann of Kenedy, Joe Richard “Jopy” Sanchez of Kenedy, JoAnn Sanchez Williams of Runge; grandchildren, Lionel Sanchez, Xaubrianna Barrientez, John Henry Sanchez, Roy Jaden Sanchez, Jake Garza, Larissa Williams, Justine Sanchez, Larry Williams, Jr.; great-grandchildren, Tristan Sanchez, Ayden Sanchez and a host of extended family members and friends.

A Holy Rosary will be recited Thursday, February 22, 2024 at 6PM in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel.  Funeral Mass will be celebrated Friday, February 23, 2024 at 10AM at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church with the Rev. Robert Ploch officiating.  Interment will follow in Loma Alta Cemetery in Kenedy, TX.

CORTEZ, Alfredo “Fel” S., Sr., age 74, of Kenedy, TX, passed away Monday, January 22, 2024.  Alfredo was a self-employed business owner, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend.  He was generous to many and a friend to everyone.  He enjoyed outings with his wife, gatherings with his family and working on projects around his home.  He is preceded in death by his parents Carlos Cortez, Sr. and Estella Salinas Cortez, and his siblings; Maria Louisa Cortez, Maria Alicia Cortez, Eduviles “Vic” Cortez and Oscar Cortez.  He is survived by his beloved wife of 49 years Rosa Cortez, son Alfredo Cortez, Jr. (Mariel), daughters Alice Dennis (Michael) and Amanda Martin (Joshua), grandson Tyler Dennis, granddaughters Amber Martin, Ashley Martin, Taylor Cortez, and Bella Cortez, brother Carlos Cortez, Jr. (Maria Elena), sister Gloria Cortez.  Private funeral services were held on Wednesday, January 31, 2024.