Name: Bayview Fisher-Pou Chapel
Address: Pensacola, FL

I met Mike when I was 21 years old. We both worked in construction. He was looking for helpers and I needed a job. I had worked with sheetrock for a few years. He taught me the skill of finishing that he had perfected. I can say that I learned from the best. Mike was like a father figure to me. He was good to me and my family and was there for us when we needed him. My children called him Uncle Mike. We loved him and he loved us the 38 years we knew him. I speak not only for myself but for my entire family that Mike will always be remembered. May you rest in peace. 

Uncle Mike is so very much loved and missed. I immediately thought of him today when I called a kitten, "sweet thing." He used that phrase a lot. He left such an imprint on my heart, soul, and life. Thank you so much for y'all always loving me and treating me as one of your own. 
Niece Lorri.

My dad was a very loving, caring person and he taught his children to be the same. He taught us to love despite anything else. 
Daughter, Mikki

Uncle Mike was a sweetheart. 
Niece Trudy.

Mike Garza was my boxing coach. He usually wore a tank top and a cap to practice. Mike passed away on 6/5/17. He was a tremendous boxer in his day. He had a love for the sport. His drywall business kept him busy and he worked long hours but always was there on the night of training us. He loved his boys and we loved him. He also had a great sense of humor, always had us laughing. He was very unique in keeping you laughing but when it was time to train, he became very serious. He just wanted you to do your best. So I wish I could have visited him and his wife, Carolyn, more often. He was a very good husband and father. Loved his family so much. Mike may you Rest In Peace. I love you my good friend and to his wife, Carolyn, thank you for letting me share. 
Eugene Futral, member of Ferry Pass Boxing Club.

When I think of Pawpaw, I think of warmth and sunshine and comfort.
Pawpaw loved to laugh and to make others laugh with him. He would tell the funniest stories and jokes to get a laugh out of you or to lighten the mood. He had a one of a kind laugh. I can see his eyes twinkle thinking of his laugh.
I loved to see Momo and Pawpaw dance together- it felt like they were back to being teenagers again when they were on the dance floor.
He would give to anyone who needed- even if he didnt have much to give at the moment.
He gave me my first puppy- Sweet Thing. I remember seeing her sitting inside of his lunch box when he gave her to me.
I remember when he had banana plants and sugar cane in the back yard. He would point out the different kinds of flowers and plants when we were outside. He loved to be outside even when it was unbearably hot and hed sneak off to Paradise whenever he could. Its funny how even now when I smell honeysuckle, I think of Momo and Pawpaws house.
His truck used to have a certain smell that I loved.
He had a sweet tooth- you could always count on there being something sweet around when he was home. He liked to cook too- though I cant say that I was brave enough to try everything that he cooked. His guacamole was the best. When he told me how to make guacamole, he said that you just need the colors of the Mexican flag- green, red, and white.
He was one in a million.

I dont think I can say enough to do justice to how loving and wonderful Pawpaw was He was simply the best we could have ever asked for. 

Thank you Dad. Thanks for always being there for me. 
I always needed a friend and you always were. Im sad youre gone
from this earth. I miss you and am grateful for the time I had with you. I know that I didnt always make you proud but its what kept me trying. I know youre still with me. You are with me when I go running and riding and swimming. We cross finish lines together. You answer questions I ask you even before I get them out. You will always be my best good friend. You help me accomplish my goals even to this day. Never stop. Thank you. Always. Your son, Gary.

Mike, my brother-in-law was a sweet, funny dearly loved man. I loved to hear him sing , he knew the words to any song no matter how old. He was good and kind , I will miss him . One of his favorite sayings was "Oh Man" and every time I hear someone say it, I think of him. I will have to say "Oh Man" he will truly be missed.

Diane Brooks

May 29, 2018 | Pensacola, FL | Family

I remember when Mike and Carolyn started dating.  There use to be a place on Pottery Plant Road (Fairfield Drive) that had in-ground trampolines.  Mike would take a bunch of us over there and I can't remember a time that one of us would not tear our shorts for jumping so much on them.  They loved to be on the dance floor and were great dancers.

Mike and Carolyn came to Texas to visit us several times and we loved having them.  Edward would turn the radio onto bluegrass and they would listen to that all day.  Edward would go get Mike and Carolyn every time he went to Pensacola for his class reunions and they would go eat and ride around.  Edward loved being with them.

Rest in peace my dear one and we love you very much.


Hermano:
Tu nos enseñaste siempre a amarnos entre nosotros. A que la bondad no está en lo grande ni en lo brillante, está en esas pequeñas cosas de todos los días.
Siempre recibimos de tu palabras de aliento.
Sabemos que estás en un lugar muy bonito, en dónde un día llegaremos a hacerte compañía, porque está demostrado que la vida es pasajera, pero la recompensa es infinita.
Siempre recordaremos tu sonrisa y vivirás en nuestros corazones. Te amamos hermano. 
Tu hermana Panchis

Brother:
You always taught us to love each other. A goodness is not in the big or in the bright, is in those little things of every day.
We always receive your words of encouragement.
We know that you are in a very beautiful place, where one day we will come to keep you company, because it is proven that life is temporary, but the reward is infinite.
We will always remember your smile and you will live in our hearts. We love you brother.
Your sister Panchis

Uncle Mike, or PawPaw to all of us, called me Chuleta when I was born. It is a name that has stuck with me even to adulthood, and it means "porkchop" in Spanish (I was a chubby baby). He could always find humor in everything and throw out a joke to make everyone smile. He loved to make people smile. The happiest I saw him was sitting around with my dad and his sisters, singing all the oldies hits. He knew all the words (or made them up in the meantime). He was a sweet man, a happy man. We will always love and cherish our times with him. 

"Mike" Garza had such a magnetic personality! Easily everybody's favorite! To be able to watch him grow & learn, getting an education & becoming an American citizen. Then owning his own business, providing jobs for others. The work he did in boxing & counseling young men was evident. 
He stepped up to be a dad figure to my children when I became a single mother. He taught them many things. I have a picture of him showing my youngest son how to box when He was 7-8 yrs old! He truly loved them. He always treated me like a brother, joking & aggravating me every time he could! Asking if I'm going to the "bitch" was his normal way to say beach, but it sure brings a smile when I think of it! 
He will be dearly missed on a regular basis. It was great being a part of his life here on earth. I look forward to our reunion one day!
I loved him so much!
Donna Nolan
Sister in law 


Words cannot express what a pleasure it was to be Mike's sister-in-law. He always had  a funny remark to help any situation.  Our family became his family when he married Carolyn. No matter what was going on in life he always made a bright spot to liven things up. He loved to fish, dance and sing. Boy, do I remember his voice  joining in with his heart and soul to  any song anyone started to sing. He knew them all. One thing I remember especially was just before he left us we went to a gospel singing and he kept lifting his arms up and singing to God. May his legacy live on as one of the kindest people God sent my way. I love you precious brother. 

Growing up, I spent many summers at Uncle Mike and Aunt Carolyn’s.  Uncle Mike kept us kids in line all the while making us laugh every chance he got.  He was a good example of working hard and loving your family.  When I think of Uncle Mike, I think of him fishing and singing. I think he knew a song for any topic you could think of. I miss him so. He is in a better place and I can’t wait to see him again someday.

Uncle Mike, an excellent human being  my mother's brother and our guardian angel, at  a very young age I found my self in a house full of problems, issues, struggles and a lot of drinking, so money was very very tight, so many times my mother and all five of us would walk to the corner phone booth to call uncle Mike and request help to buy groceries, and the answer would Always be YES, you'll have the money in the Morning, that's how I remember and learn to respect uncle Mike with all my heart, then I moved away from home after high school to go to college in Mexico, I would find myself at my grandmother's house one December close to Christmas waiting for Santa, which was Uncle Mike again going to Mexico with this truck full of clothing and presents for every family member, he knew everyone, the son of my second cousin I didn't even know....   his Love was for everyone , he made everybody  feel Special, that is how I grew up, respecting the father figure I never had... and hoping one day I can turnout to be HALF the man he was....  Then I met my wife Diana, I talked about uncle Mike so much that when we decided to get marred, we asked Uncle Mike to represent my father and that is how it was, The BEST day of my life, with Uncle Mike as my father. 
I want everyone to know that this man , built a beautiful family, a beautiful home and a beautiful life, he was for everyone and he had a smile all the time and I miss him very very much, may GOD bless his soul.
Love you always Uncle Mike

My grandfather was the most real and genuine person I've known, he always spoke his mind and was great at getting a laugh from anyone around him. I miss him more and more everyday. He was loved and will be missed. Goodbye Paw Paw.

You will always be with us. You cant imagine how we learned to love you. All my life I expected you to come to see us and they were unique moments that made me strong because I felt that you loved me a lot.I always saw you as an angel and now you are with me as a guardian angel.Iove you very much uncle Chilo you live in my heart. Your niece Adry Garza

Uncle Mike took the role of surrogate father in my life for many years.  I have flashes of memory from boxing matches to stock car races and fishing trips as a very young boy. 
In my chaotic teen years, Uncle Mike and Aunt Carolyn showed me what the hands and feet of Christ look like: they took me in during some of the seasons in life where I was wandering and trying (reluctantly) to find my way.  Uncle Mike took me to work and taught me how to finish sheetrock - how to work honorably and efficiently.  I can remember how he was always whistling on the job site, skillfully working his craft.  As a young adult, I can recall - His disposition always seemed that of interest in what I had to say - how things were going - what I was learning.  When visiting family in Pensacola, it seemed to be assumed that my guests and I would be staying at the Garzas.  The hospitality of the Garza home has been the single-most consistent element in my life.  Always Oreos.  Always smiles, hugs and food.  Uncle Mike celebrated my small business success with me and encouraged me as a young father.  His positive energy is one of the things I am happy to say was something I took for granted - because it was always there - unchanging; I knew exactly what to expect from this great man.  He accepted me, right where I was.  He pushed me along when I began to be complacent.  He opened his heart and his home for 48 years to me and to mine.  I am proud to tell people about my favorite uncle and how he was, in many ways, a father and mentor to me.  I love you always Uncle Mike.  Thank you for pouring yourself out - into so many of us - year after year - season after season.  I promise to try and emulate the model of manhood you so graciously showed me!   I will see you again on the other side!

Mike was a funny, sweet man. Our family is blessed to have known him. The entire Garza family is open, friendly and accepting. We are blessed to be a part of their family. Mike will always be missed.

I was very fortunate to spend the first twenty-one years of my life living next door to my grandparents. It allowed me the opportunity to have a special relationship with them that I will always cherish, along with the many memories we shared. I could never count the number of times I ran next door to be rescued by Pawpaw, whether it was for a swiss roll or for a big hug as he told me it was all going to be alright. Whatever it took, he was willing to do. He knew the perfect joke or the best story to tell when I needed it most. The sound of his voice alone would bring a smile to my face. I am so grateful to have had him as my Pawpaw. I could never question his love for me, as he always made it clear in his own special way. Pawpaw was always in my corner, and I will forever be his Sugarfoot.

Mike was more than my brother-in-law. He was my life-long friend, at one time my employer, my hunting buddy, my fishing partner, my singing buddy and just an all around nice guy. He was a pleasure to be around and could find humor in just about any situation. I remember him singing and knowing all the lyrics to several songs but, our favorite was Johnny Cash's "Sunday mornin' comin' down". I have several stories that will always be with me. What a pleasure he was to be around! Rest In Peace, Brother! I love you.

Doy gracias por haber tenido un hermoso hermano. Gracias por todo, mi mas sincero pésame para toda la familia. Siempre vivirás entre nosotros.

Isidro Garza was my uncle Mike, he was my favorite uncle. He was always a friend and made me feel welcome. When I was 5 and people didn't think I was important, he did. Mike and his wife, Carolyn, have always been an example to the entire family of how to love and be loved. Uncle Mike always had a joke to tell or a song to sing. Any words anyone said he had a song to sing with those words in it. He loved to dance and to box. He taught me how to box and how to stand. He taught me about family and how to raise one. Uncle Mike took me to every good taco place in Pensacola. I loved it. He always took care of me. When I moved to Pensacola and didn't have a job, he paid me everyday to work in his yard just to make sure I was taken care of. That was Mike. Always making sure the people in his life were taken care of. I'm proud to call him my uncle. I'm honored to know him, to have known him. I will love and miss him until I see him again. I love you, Uncle Mike.

Isidro (Mike) is my grandfather. I say "is" because he'll always be that to me, my brother, and our cousins. We have a special bond because our birthdays are a day apart, save 59 years. They say that those you love never truly leave because they live on through your memories, good and bad. Good memories came out of his sickness despite all the bad. It gave us all the chance to appreciate him and everything he has done, had we not already. My pawpaw is wise, generous, and funny. He may have been uncomfortable in the last few months but still seemed to be himself, humor and all. My only regret is that I didn't learn to appreciate him sooner. My life won't be the same without him here but I'll make sure to celebrate our birthday with as much love and laughter as always.

My father was such a hard worker and loved his family. I thank God for him and I miss him every day. He always made us laugh and he knew how to take time and enjoy life. He is the reason I have a heart for Mexico, he always was a blessing to his family and cared if they were struggling. He made me feel special and wanted the best for me. He loved Jesus and went to church with me and mama. He loved his church family and they loved him. I pray I can make him proud and keep the power as before he passed, he said to me, baby, don't lose the power!

Many fond memories with Mike, most of them involved fishing with me and Dad. I can remember the times we would get up real early go to the little diner for breakfast, it's no longer there - where Davis and Scenic Highway meet - there is a Tom Thumb there now. Then we would go fishing and stay all day. Mike was the one that taught me how to skull a boat, most will probably not know what that is, the days before trolling motors. He took us all camping on Escambia river one weekend, Me, Randy, Cleve and Billy Ray. We ran out of food and had to eat crow, literally, Mike killed a crow and cooked it. If we had a bad weather day and Mike was not working we would just ride around him and me. I relived these memories with Mike right before he passed away and we got some good laughs out it. Of course, we also did many things that I could not share here but I always smile when I think of my brother in law Mike. After Dad died in 1976, Mike was like a father figure to me and for that I am grateful!

One of my favorite things about family gatherings was seeing Uncle Mike. He always had a smile on his face and once you were around him so did you. His joy was infectious! I sure will miss his presence <3

You were a great brother-in-law. You had that special way about you that made people smile and laugh. It brightened up their day a little more just because of you. I love you and will miss you.

Many many memories with my Uncle Mike I miss him so much, he was a role model to all my family here in the states and also in Mexico. RIP MIKE GARZA.

He was a beautiful person. I have too many beautiful memories of him.

When I was about four or five years old, he taught me how to dance, I remember the song is called black, I also cut my hair, he never forgot us, always when he came we were happy because he brought gifts for everyone. But I know your carol, you knew us through it and you always labeled the boxes of clothes per family. It was party when my brother came. Thank you Carol for that and for loving my brother so much. Because if he was a great person, a lot had to see that you always walked by his side. And so we left the beautiful example of love for the family and a phrase that always said "the enemy treats with love" every time we went to think of it when he saw us, he raised his arms and gave thanks to God for taking us with good, I will forget Brother God needed an angel like you. Carol, I love you so much. You are very important to us as are my nephews. That they are a beautiful footprint that I leave my brother. . I love you so much do not forget it. And again thank you, thank you, thank you.

I had the pleasure of meeting Mike in several occasions. What a wonderful person he was so kind and generous would help you any way he could you will be missed.

Mike was a great friend to my parents and myself! He was my boxing coach and my friend ! I will never forget you Mike...

Carolyn, Mikki, Becky and Gary....I am so sorry about Mike's passing.  He was a wonderful man and would do anything for anyone if asked.  Such a heart of gold.  He will be deeply missed. Much love and many prayers to you all.

OBITUARY

Isidro Mike Rodriguez Garza

May 15, 1939 – June 5, 2017

Bayview Fisher-Pou Chapel

Show your support

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Updates

Services