ALICE, Texas — Funeral services have been set for Duval County Judge Gilbert Saenz, who died last week after a short illness.
Visitation will be from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday at Garza Funeral Home in San Diego with rosary set for 7 p.m.
Funeral mass will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Freer. Military honors will be presented by the Alice Veterans Burial Association.
Saenz died Saturday in Georgetown after a short illness after he attended a conference there.
He was born on Oct. 30, 1976, to his parents, Pablo Saenz Jr. and Thelma U. Saenz. He graduated from Freer High School and Oberlin College with honors. After earning his Juris Doctorate from the University of Texas School of Law, he served in the U.S. Navy Judge Advocate General Corps. He spent his career working toward justice for all as a JAG Officer, public school teacher, school board member, attorney, and Duval County Judge. He was a member and active supporter of numerous social and charitable organizations.
Saenz is survived by his wife Savannah Smith; his daughters, Braylynn Lewis Saenz and Ariza Talip Saenz; his mother, Thelma U. Saenz; and his siblings, Sylvia (Sonny) Rodriguez, Selda Saenz (Desi de la Garza), Sara (Celso) Oliveira, and Pablo Saenz III (Joe Hernandez).
Saenz was preceded in death by his father, Pablo Saenz Jr.
He was elected as Duval County Judge in 2019. He was a licensed criminal defense and personal injury lawyer for 19 years in Freer.
He was a Navy veteran and a member of the VFW Post 8931 in San Diego.
