The parking lot at Zavala Family Funeral Home in Edcouch-Elsa remained partially full throughout Thursday.
A steady stream of people which included classmates and relatives of Rudy Garza, stopped by to say goodbye.
"I admire him... He was a really tough guy... Always happy," said Carlos Galnares.
The 21-year-old Garza died in Japan earlier this month.
He was a mechanical engineer serving with the Air Force at the time.
The military said his death was an accidental drowning.
Garza reportedly lost his life swimming with friends while on free time.
Mark Guerrero was at the public viewing to remember his fellow classmate. They both graduated from Edcouch-Elsa High back in 2006.
Reporter: "How do you feel?”
Mark: “Not good. I want to see him. I miss him all day."
The Airman First Class' body arrived at McAllen's airport last night just before 11 p.m. Thursday.
A military Honor Guard received the body. His family held a private viewing shortly after at the funeral home.
Now it's open to anyone through 10 p.m. Friday.
Elsa Municipal Judge Hilda Caceres is the family's spokesperson.
"The mother is saying she wants the people to remember her son as what he was," she said.
And that's a man who served his country and his family. He’s a man who made his mom “proud”.
A funeral service is scheduled for Saturday at the Sared Heart Catholic Church in Elsa to be followed by burial at the Highland Memorial Cemetery in Weslaco.
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