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JONATHAN'S OBITUARY

 

Jonathan David Garza aka “Coach” left this world unexpectedly, at the age of 38, on October 17th 2021.  He was born in Galveston, Texas on March 30th 1983, as the first born of four boys to his parents Leandro and Audrey.  Jonathan attended Brazosport High School and graduated in 2001.  While attending Brazosport Community College and working at Dillard's he met his true love Stephania Spears.  After graduating from Brazosport Community College with two Associates degrees and a Bachelor’s degree Jonathan & Stephania relocated to San Marcos, Texas in 2006 so he could attend Texas State University.  They started their family with the birth of their daughter Alannah.  Jonathan accepted a position with the University of Texas and they expanded their family with the birth of their two sons Arian and Atticus.  As Jonathan worked he also attended classes full time at the University of Texas at Austin and graduated with a Masters of Education with emphasis in Kinesiology in May 2021, which was his lifelong dream.   

 

He was a devoted husband of nineteen years to Stephania and an extraordinary father to three beautiful children Alannah (13), Arian (9) & Atticus (7).  Jonathan loved being home with his wife and kids who did everything together.  He enjoyed movie nights at home, assembling lego sets with Alannah (Nasa Apollo Saturn V), watching Atticus do magic tricks, and playing indoor baseball with Arian.  He loved trying new foods and to BBQ.  He had an amazing smile and an infectious laugh.  He enjoyed fishing with his kids and he was multi-talented and played various instruments.  He recently bought guitars for Arian & Atticus and was teaching them both how to play.  He also taught Alannah how to play her clarinet and how to get a better sound out of her instrument, which both of her band directors complimented her on. 

 

Everyone who knows Jonathan knows his obsession with music. He listened to various genres such as Weezer, Queen, Jazz, Tejano and For King & Country etc. He played in various Tejano bands and traveled as far as Mexico while playing with Sunny Sauceda. He played the saxophone, keyboards and accordion.  He was the type of person that could pick up any instrument and play it as if he had been playing it his whole life.  He would listen to music everyday and pick up an instrument to play along with the music he was listening to.  He had a great ear for music and knew when instruments were out of tune and would tune them right away.      

 

Not only was he passionate about being an incredible husband and father he was an exceptional role model and youth baseball coach.

“Coach” as many called him was devoted to coaching not just the game of baseball but beyond the game as well.  Every player that had the opportunity to play for him was taught hard work, discipline and to never settle. Jonathan made sure that he connected with every child he coached on and off the field.  Being disrespectful to anyone wasn't acceptable to Coach and everyone who played on his team knew that.  He wanted the boys to always be respectful and kind to others on and off the field.  The game of baseball has lost not just a phenomenal coach, but a leader of young men.            

 

In January of 2020 he started a new position at a startup, Pelotero, he was a talented software engineer who thrived at solving problems and creating products people would love and use. For the last year and a half he merged his passion for athletics with software. He was promoted to Vice President of Product and Engineering where his contributions will make an impact on athletes for many years to come.

 

Jonathan is survived by his wife Stephania and their three children Alannah, Arian & Atticus.  His parents Leandro and Audrey and his three younger brothers Leandro, Matthew (Vivien) & Christopher (Marisela).  He has three nieces Mya, Mariah and Aracelli. 

Jonathan is preceded in death by his grandparents Leopoldo "Popo" & Odilia Garza.