A single cross with a flower adorns the front gate where a Valley hero once called home.
Airman First Class Rodolfo "Rudy" Garza, a mechanical engineer who turned to the military for financial support to help finish his college career at UTPA, died Saturday in Japan.
His family first learned the 21-year-old was regarded as missing from an Air Force representative who came by their Elsa home Saturday afternoon.
He informed them Garza disappeared while swimming with friends during free-time.
Later that same day, another Representative returned to their home to break the devastating news to Garza's mother that her son's body was found.
"It is with deep regret that I inform you your son's status of unknown has been changed to deceased," said a family member while reading from an official military letter.
The 2006 Edcouch-Elsa graduate’s body is expected to arrive in the Valley next Wednesday.
But the family said they have to worry about more than just funeral arrangements.
"The funeral and cemetery don't want to wait... they want the money before he gets here," explained Amber Garza, Rudy’s 17-year-old sister.
The expenses are estimated to balloon more than $8,000.
Amber Garza said the military is only covering $6,000 with a payment not expected for about 40 days.
The shortfall is putting a huge financial stress on top of the emotional stress Amber said for the entire family. "I'm mad."
If you would like to make a donation you can do so at any First National Bank under the account name San Juana Garza for benefit of Rodolfo "Rudy" Garza.
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