Lionel Garza Lionel Garza, age 89, a resident of Kingsville, Texas passed away Friday, August 6, 2010 at his residence surrounded by his family. He was born June 28, 1921 in Kingsville to Mucio Garza and Romana Barrera Garza. Mr. Garza was employed at the Kingsville Naval Air Station as a sheet metal worker and structural and mechanical planner and estimator until his retirement on September 2, 1981. He attended public schools in Kingsville and attended North Texas State Teachers College in Denton, Texas under the GI Bill. He was a historian, genealogist and author of four books. He served in the Army Air Corps during World War II as a tail gunner and gunnery instructor on a B-24 Liberator.

He is survived by his wife, Elida V. Garza of Kingsville; three sons, Lionel Garza Jr. of San Antonio, Texas, Aaron John Garza of Kingsville and Omar Garza of California; daughter, Thelma Parker of Fredericksburg, Texas; six grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

A Memorial Funeral Mass will be celebrated at a later date.

Condolences may be offered at www.turcottepipermortuary. com

Services are entrusted to Turcotte-Piper Mortuary, 205 General Cavazos Blvd., Kingsville, Texas.