Fernando Garbanzo Laviada

Fernando "Garbanzo" Laviada passed away on Palm Sunday, March 28, 2021 at the age of 85. After several months of declining health, Fernando died peacefully with his beloved wife Maria Dolores and their children by his side.
Fernando was born on July 15, 1935 in Merida, Yucatan, Mexico to Fernando Laviada Herrera and María Fitzmaurice Peón. He was the second child of four and was better known as "Garbanzo" to all his family and friends. At the age of 19 he left Mexico and migrated to New Orleans, Louisiana where he was drafted into the United States Army and served as an Armor Radio Mechanic. While stationed in Germany he was able to travel to many parts of Europe and his love for travel, language, and culture was ignited.
After his time in the Army he worked for different hotel organizations as a Chief Steward of catering and housekeeping. This gave him the opportunity to live in different states within the United States, finally landing him in Dallas, Texas in the 1980s.
It was then when he met his wife Maria Dolores Salazar and together they had four children: Fernando Gabriel, Marcela Genoviva, Cristina Isabel, and Catalina Dolores. He loved to cook, especially yucateco and cajun food. He loved to share his travel stories and make everyone around him laugh with his never-ending jokes. He was a loyal New Orleans Saints, LSU Tigers, and Texas Rangers fan.
Fernando was a devout Roman Catholic and served his Parish of St. Augustine Catholic Church in Dallas, Texas for over 30 years in many roles including eucharistc minister, lector, Knights of Columbus member, minister of the sick, and catechism teacher.
Fernando was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Franco Laviada and Sister Azucena Laviada de Martinez, and daughter Marcela. He is survived by his wife Maria Dolores Laviada; Sister Maruca Laviada de Rivero; children Fernando Gabriel Laviada, Cristina Isabel Laviada, Catalina Dolores Laviada and daughter-in-law Lindsay Magaro Laviada; Grandchildren Fernando Pietro Laviada and Giada Antonia Laviada; as well as many nieces and nephews.

The celebration of his life will be at St. Augustine Catholic Church in Dallas, Texas on Wednesday, March 31, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. with a rosary and mass to follow at 10:30 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Fernando's memory to the American Heart Association or St. Jude's Cancer Research.