Spring Break
Silver Taps to honor Bryan native, car lover
By: Laura Swift
Issue date: 3/4/08 Section: News
Benito Garza II, who died Feb. 2 in a motorcycle accident, will be honored at Silver Taps Tuesday. Benny, as he was referred to by family and friends, was a senior recreation, park and tourism sciences major.
Garza was born and grew up in Bryan, Texas with his mother Norma Tijerino and 18-year-old brother Ricky.
Garza was a member of Christ's Way Baptist Church in Bryan, where he was baptized in 2002. "He found something in this church, and really loved it," Tijerino said. "His faith was an important part of his life.
"Benny was known to spread God's word, was strong in his faith and loved the Lord."
Amanda Delaney, Benny's girlfriend, said that many people admired him. "I looked up to him before he was my boyfriend," Delaney said. "He was the most amazing guy, and just to see him smile would make you smile."
He was someone that everyone looked up to and was like a father figure to his brother Ricky, Tijerino said.
Garza had a great sense of humor, was fun-loving and adventurous, she said. The adventurous side of him enjoyed cars and motorcycles. "The latest project he was working on was a 1969 Pontiac Firebird," Tijerino said. "He loved his cars."
He had a two-year-old pit bull named Hurley that he enjoyed spending time and playing with, as well.
Garza was dedicated to exercising and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. He worked out at Gold's Gym regularly. "It was a dream of his to become a professional body builder," his mother said.
In addition to school, Benny worked as a door manager at the bar Gatsby's. Tijerino said that he enjoyed his job, and his co-workers at Gatsby's were like a second family to him.
Gatsby's sponsored a benefit honoring Garza Feb. 10, which raised more than $12,000 in one night for his family. All the other bars in Northgate closed that night, so everyone would have the chance to go to Gatsby's and contribute money for his family.
Garza was close to his mother and brother, along with his grandparents. "He made everyone laugh all the time; he was a cheerful person," Tijerino said. "He was also super smart and bright. He graduated in the top 10 percent of his high school class and was a member of the National Honor Society."
Delaney said that Garza was an amazing person and had a lot going for him. "He was always the life of the party and lived life to the fullest."
Garza was born and grew up in Bryan, Texas with his mother Norma Tijerino and 18-year-old brother Ricky.
Garza was a member of Christ's Way Baptist Church in Bryan, where he was baptized in 2002. "He found something in this church, and really loved it," Tijerino said. "His faith was an important part of his life.
"Benny was known to spread God's word, was strong in his faith and loved the Lord."
Amanda Delaney, Benny's girlfriend, said that many people admired him. "I looked up to him before he was my boyfriend," Delaney said. "He was the most amazing guy, and just to see him smile would make you smile."
He was someone that everyone looked up to and was like a father figure to his brother Ricky, Tijerino said.
Garza had a great sense of humor, was fun-loving and adventurous, she said. The adventurous side of him enjoyed cars and motorcycles. "The latest project he was working on was a 1969 Pontiac Firebird," Tijerino said. "He loved his cars."
He had a two-year-old pit bull named Hurley that he enjoyed spending time and playing with, as well.
Garza was dedicated to exercising and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. He worked out at Gold's Gym regularly. "It was a dream of his to become a professional body builder," his mother said.
In addition to school, Benny worked as a door manager at the bar Gatsby's. Tijerino said that he enjoyed his job, and his co-workers at Gatsby's were like a second family to him.
Gatsby's sponsored a benefit honoring Garza Feb. 10, which raised more than $12,000 in one night for his family. All the other bars in Northgate closed that night, so everyone would have the chance to go to Gatsby's and contribute money for his family.
Garza was close to his mother and brother, along with his grandparents. "He made everyone laugh all the time; he was a cheerful person," Tijerino said. "He was also super smart and bright. He graduated in the top 10 percent of his high school class and was a member of the National Honor Society."
Delaney said that Garza was an amazing person and had a lot going for him. "He was always the life of the party and lived life to the fullest."
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