Our History
The late Rudy Garza, Jr. and Consuelo (Connie) Garza were both born and raised in Mercedes, Texas. They both graduated from Mercedes High School and were married July 22, 1960. In 1964 Rudy and Connie moved to Houston, Texas where Rudy became manager and stockholder of the Crespo Funeral Home. Rudy ventured out on his own and in 1974 Rudy Gaza Funeral Home was incorporated in Houston, Texas. The Rudy Garza family moved to Harlingen, Texas in 1979 where they established the funeral home and Harlingen Monument Co. at 1702 E. Harrison. In 1988 Rudy Garza Palms Chapel in La Feria was established and in 1995 Rudy and Connie fulfilled their dreams of opening their funeral home in Mercedes, Texas. In addition to the funeral homes, the Rudy Garza family also own Ashland Memorial Park Cemetery, the only cemetery in Harlingen with a Veteran's Circle of Honor.
The Rudy Garza family have been strong supporters of numerous local and civic organizations in Harlingen, La Feria and Mercedes. They have received numerous awards and recognitions for their involvement, commitment and active participation in the community. Although Mr. Garza has passed on, Connie and her four children; Sandra, Tammy, Rudy III and Sonia have continued with their father's tradition, heritage and professionalism in funeral service.
Why choose a family owned and operated funeral home?
- Personal commitment and integrity to the satisfaction of your family from our family.
- An investment in the economic development of our community.
- Focus is on personalized service, not profits.
- Familiar with local customs.
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Mrs. Consuelo Garza Co-Founder
Mrs. Consuelo Garza, co-founder of Rudy Garza Funeral Homes, Inc., Ashland Memorial Park Cemetery, and Harlingen Monument Company, is proud to have established three successful businesses, aside her husband, Rudy Garza, Jr+. Consuelo, a visionary just like Rudy, sought to constitute a successful family owned and operated business, who's legacy would be perpetuated by the future Garza's.
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Tammy Garza FDIC - Harlingen Location
Tammy has been with Rudy Garza Funeral Home since 1986. She is a 1983 graduate of Harlingen High School and 1994 graduate of Commonwealth College of Mortuary Science in Houston.
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Rudy Garza III Funeral Operations / Harlingen Monument Company Manager
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Sandra Garza FDIC - Mercedes Location
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Sonia Garza Galvan Funeral Director
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Joey Torres Operations Manager
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Christian Martinez Provisional Funeral Director
Christian Martinez is a compassionate provisional funeral director and embalmer and is always ready to assist families in their time of need. He began his journey as funeral attendant and later he decided that he wanted to become a funeral director and embalmer. He completed his studies at Texas State Technical College with an associate’s degree in Business Management and later completed his studies at Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service in Houston, Texas on July of 2021. Christian enjoys music, spending time with his family and friends and serving the individuals in their time of need.
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Aaron Almendarez Funeral Assistant
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Virginia Anzaldua Claims Department Representative
Virginia Anzaldua is a graduate of Pasadena High School and has been with Rudy Garza Funeral Home for two years. Virginia has forty years of experience in customer service and ten years of experience working in the area of medical insurance claims. Virginia is a licensed notary public and a certified paralegal. During her leisure time, Virginia enjoys cooking, painting, doing crossword puzzles, watching movies and singing.
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Diana Campbell Ashland Memorial Park Cemetery Manager
Diana has been involved in the funeral / cemetery industry, on and off, since 1991. She was honored to have worked as the executive secretary of Mr. Rudy Garza, Jr. Diana was one of the first employees of Ashland Memorial Park Cemetery after it was purchased by the Rudy Garza family. She is extremely capable of assisting you and your family in whatever you may need. Diana is a graduate of Rio Hondo High School, in Rio Hondo, Texas, where she currently resides with her husband and 3 daughters.
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Nora Jimenez
Nora has worked in the banking industry for 35 years, the tax office for 3 years and currently has been with Ashland Memorial Park Cemetery since May, of 2022. She is a native of Santa Maria / Bluetown and is a graduate of La Feria High School. She currently resides in Harlingen, Texas, with her husband. She is the proud mother of a son and daughter and a prouder grandmother of 6 grandchildren, all of whom she adores.
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Anyssa Almendarez Funeral Service Counselor
Anyssa was born and raised in Harlingen, Texas and grew up in the funeral business. She is a 2020 college graduate of Southwestern Assemblies of God University and has a Bachelor's in Business Management. Anyssa has a compassion for serving and assisting families who seek guidance and direction as they pre-plan their future funeral.
