Dr. Tomas Garza

Dr. Tomas Garza passed away March 30, 2024 at Pawnee Valley Community Hospital, Larned, KS.

He was born December 29 in Corpus Christi, TX, and was the son of Emede Garza and Odilia DeLaCruz.

Moving from Caldwell, Texas, he lived in the Larned area since 2012. He started working at Larned State Hospital as a Medical Supervisor, colleague, provider, and friend. He served in the United States Marine Corps from 1990 to 1994, was also a truck driver, and so many other things. He was of the Southern Baptist faith. He was a member of the American Legion Riders, Ft. Larned Arms Association and was very active at Macksville High School.

Before he left the house, Tomas always said “Well, I’m going to go be a productive member of society.” He did so many great things and those that knew him each only saw a small piece of the puzzle that made him a man larger than life. Keep an eye out for his published memoir to catch a glimpse of the other pieces that, when combined, made him a truly amazing hero, friend, brother, spouse, and grandfather.

On February 18, 1991, he married his best friend and partner in crime, Elida Peña in Memphis, TN. She followed him everywhere, from the Marine Corps to, eventually, Kansas. Being the Pinky to his Brain, she would always ask, “ ‘Mor, what are we doing tomorrow?” and he would say, “The same thing we do every day Pinky, try to take over the world!”

Funds raised will go to the Garza family, who are longtime friends of mine. Elida Garza, Dr. Garza's wife, is the beneficiary.

Press release:

https://www.ksn.com/news/crime/kbi-investigating-a-fatal-shooting-near-larned/