Refugio Lopez, De La Garza, Jr., 65, of Plainview, passed away from this life into the loving arms of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on September 9, 2017, surrounded by his loving family.

There will be a prayer service held at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 12, 2017 in the Lemons Memorial Chapel. Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 13, 2017 in the First Baptist Church of Earth. Interment will follow at the Earth Cemetery.

Refugio was born on December 30, 1951 in Sudan, Texas to Refugio and Leonor (Lopez) De La Garza.

He was a hard-working farmer, carpenter and basic jack-of-all-trades. He had an amazing sense of humor. His passion, however, was Evangelism. His love of Jesus Christ was evident in everything he did and to everyone with whom he came in contact. He is described as a giving, loving person who always put others' needs before his own. He never met a stranger and displayed a life of Hebrews 13:1-2, "Let brotherly love continue. Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unaware." His life was lent to anyone who needed assistance, temporary shelter, a meal or just a kind word or prayer. His passing has been felt by friends and acquaintances as far as Germany, The Dominican Republic, California and Colorado. His family finds consolation in the fact that no one had to remind him to "be ready" for meeting his Savior… His was a life that was lived in that manner. He will be greatly missed and his legacy shall live on in his children, grandchildren and generations to come.

Refugio married Erma Chavez on November 7, 2009 in Hereford and she cherished the time she had with this amazing Man of Faith. She felt that every day she was given with him was a blessing. She and her extended family loved him dearly.

He was preceded in death by two brothers, Juanito De La Garza and Jesse De La Garza and by a great-granddaughter, Aspen Jo Patton.

Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Erma De La Garza of the home; his five loving children including two sons, Jeffrey De La Garza and wife Sylvia and Jamie R. De La Garza and wife Melba, all of Plainview; three daughters, Linda Sue Morris and husband Ronnie of Amarillo, Lori Ann Spencer and husband Chris of Canyon and Kristy Mae Hood of Amarillo; two brothers, Joe De La Garza of Hereford and Eleazar De La Garza of Littlefield and three sisters, Maria Everett of Floydada, Oralia Everett of Sudan and Leonor Castillo of Hereford. He will also be lovingly remembered by 18 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren.

The family also wishes to recognize on Refugio's behalf, Gloria DeLeon, "Goyita". She was his mother's best friend who became a second mother to Cuco after his mother passed away. Goyita was always there for him and her love and commitment to him and his family meant the world to them. Also, much gratitude to Jeremy Everett, who was more like a son than a nephew to Refugio. "Jeremy, you were such a blessing to our Dad. You were always there for him without hesitation. Please know that the love you had for him was felt and that he loved you just as much."