The Lubbock community gathering at Cactus Theater on Monday afternoon to honor the life and legacy of Orestes ‘West’ Garza, 51.
Garza was shot and killed on Sunday night steps away from St. Elizabeth’s Catholic University Parish.
Friends attending the ceremony and sharing stories and music of Garza.
“I’ve just build up so much respect and love for the man and admiration because that is the man that I strive to be like and in such a short time he’s shown us what it’s like to be humble to be courageous to be brave and have energy, and to be somebody that people love,” said friend and band mate Ross Raedeke. “
Garza played with his band the THU Garzas, performed at the Cactus Theater, Mean Women Grill, as well at his local churches and for funeral services in the community.
“He was a giant in the Catholic community, he played so many genres of music and I think that many Catholic people were touched with his Christian music and the music he played during mass,” said Beck Lopez, friend of Garza. “He just gave so much to the community and we’re going to miss him and we love him.”
Garza was born and raised in Levelland, he grew up playing music and singing at his church choir.
“He really was loved by every single person that came into this building and came to see his show, every single person came to see West Garza,” said Dustin Garrett, friend and band mate at the Cactus Theater.
The Cactus Theater will host a vigil for Garza on Thursday night at 7 p.m. the community is invited.
