Eliseo Garza Zuniga

He was born in San Angelo on November 26, 1920 to Domingo and Maria Zuniga. He married Josephine Bustamante on February 11, 1946, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in San Angelo they were married 57 years. Mr. Zuniga served in WWII in the 89th Division, Company C, 353d Infantry and received a Victory Ribbon, Service Stripe, Overseas Service Bar, the Purple Heart and an EAME campaign medal with a Bronze Star. After his service overseas he became an MP at Sandia Air Force Base in New Mexico. Eliseo moved his family to San Angelo and worked as a police officer for 22 years, after which he was a Lake Ranger for 10 years with the City of San Angelo until his retirement.

Eliseo is survived by his nine children: Benny Bustamante and wife Marietta of Washington, D.C., Tony Zuniga and wife Jessica of San Angelo, Rachel Cannon and husband Jim of Hurst, Mario Zuniga and wife Jane of San Angelo, David Zuniga and wife Rebecca of Huntsville, Richard Zuniga and wife Mirna of San Antonio, and Stella Trevino and husband Eginio, Sylvia Sepulveda and husband Richard, and Rebecca Bejil and husband Roger, all of San Angelo; 21 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; one brother Arturo Zuniga and one sister Elida Falcon.

Rosary will be recited at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 7, 2012, at Johnson’s Funeral Home Chapel. Funeral Mass will be 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, February 8, 2012 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church with Fr. David Herrera officiating. Burial will follow in Calvary Catholic Cemetery.

As patriarch of his family, Mr. Zuniga taught his children the value of hard work and independence and supported and respected their decisions and they in turn have imparted these to their children and grandchildren. Mr. Zuniga was a hard working man who took providing for his family as a serious commitment. His crusty humor and spirit will remain in our minds and hearts forever. Goodbye Dad, we love you, may you rest in peace in the arms of our Lord.