Leonard Paul Garza Jr., 89, of Lacy Lakeview, entered through the Pearly Gates of Heaven on Monday, December 31, 2012 at his home, surrounded by his family, after a brief battle with cancer. Funeral services will be 2pm Friday, January 4th at Lake Shore Funeral Home Chapel with Tom Catchings and Rusty Kwast officiating. Burial will follow at Bold Springs Cemetery. Visitation will be 6 to 8pm Thursday, January 3rd at Lake Shore Funeral Home, 5201 Steinbeck Bend in Waco. Thoughts and memories may be shared in the online Guest Book at www.LakeShoreFuneralHome.com.
Paul was born on September 17, 1923 to Leonard Paul, Sr. and Caneye Caldonia (O’Neal) Garza in West Station, Texas. At the age of 13, he moved with his family to Lacy Lakeview, and later graduated from Waco High School in 1942.
He was married to his lovely wife of 67 years, Pearl Nelson, on June 22, 1945. He worked as a bookkeeper for Cooper Wholesale Grocery and later as an estimator for Central Texas Iron Works, retiring after 29 years. In his retirement, he was an avid woodworker, building and refurbishing furniture for family and friends. He was very active in his community, donating over 18 gallons of blood to the Red Cross Blood Center, as well as serving many years on the school board for Connally ISD and serving many positions at the Northside Church of Christ in Bellmead. He enjoyed many mission trips to Jamaica for medical missions and church founding. His favorite time of year was November thru December 25th, when he helped many children, young & old, enjoy Christmas by being Santa Claus at the mall for over 20 years.
He was preceded in death by his parents; an infant son, Leonard Paul Garza III; and a sister, Ruth Kinslow.
He is survived by his wife, Pearl Nelson Garza; two daughters, Charlotte Taylor and husband Darryl of Arlington, and Marsha Seale and husband Donald of Colorado Springs, CO.; four granddaughters, Lylah Taylor of College Station, Kelsey Seale Madsen and husband Thomas of Norman, OK., Neely Taylor of Arlington, and Lesley Seale of Colorado Springs, CO.; one perfect great-granddaughter, Aurora Reyes of Arlington; a sister, Margie Templin of Bossier City, LA.; and many nieces, nephews, and very close friends.
Pallbearers will be nephews, Sam Kinslow, Danny Bebout, Dewitt Bebout, Bo Nelson, Charles Nelson & Jimmy Nelson. Honorary Pallbearers are Aubrey Minchew, Truman Burrow and many other special friends and brothers in Christ from Northside Church of Christ.
The family would like to thank Providence Hospital 3rd Floor South Nursing Staff for their excellent care. A special "Thank You" to Providence Hospice and the loving, compassionate care given by Becky, Cheryl, Ida, Gail, and Cathy.
In lieu of flowers, donations should be sent to Northside Church of Christ, 2500 Parrish St., Waco, TX 76705. These donations will help continue to spread God’s word in our community and throughout the world.