Arthur Patrick de la Garza died on January 8, 2026, in Englewood, CO, at the age of 83. He grew up in Oklahoma City, OK, though he also spent many summers with his father's family in San Antonio, TX where he was born. 

In Oklahoma City, one of the defining eras of his life was when he played football for Mount Saint Mary's High School before graduating in 1960. He then met his wife, Cheryl Anne Buckhold, while they both attended Oklahoma City University. After graduating he joined the Air Force as a Second Lieutenant. He spent much of the time stationed in Alaska keeping an eye on the Russians during the Cold War. After retiring from the Air Force as a captain, he began a career in marketing. Marketing and his love of aviation took him to Wichita, KS, where he worked for Cessna Aircraft Company during the development of some of their most iconic planes, and where he took up flying as a hobby. His career then took him to Florida and Arizona before he ended up in the Denver area where he was happy to make his home for nearly 40 years.

Patrick was a lifelong learner who awed friends and family with his ability to identify the make of any airliner on sight, often combined with a detailed history of its production and use. He loved swapping yarns with his friends and his children's friends, many of whom have shared that they benefited greatly from his insights over the years. A man of quiet faith, his favourite bible verse was Matthew 22:39 "...You shall love your neighbor as yourself," and he strove to live by that decree.

He was predeceased by his mother, June de la Garza (Martin), his father, Arthur Orlando de la Garza, and his son, Nicholas Arthur de la Garza. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Cheryl Buckhold de la Garza, his son David Patrick Delagarza, his daughter Caitrin de la Garza Blake, and four grandchildren, as well as his brother, Michael Lewis de la Garza, his stepmother Cristina Torres de la Garza and numerous nieces and nephews.

Patrick will be interred at Fort Logan National Cemetery on Friday, February 6, 2026 at 11:15 am, with a memorial gathering at The Perfect Landing at Centennial Airport at 1:30 pm.

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