Thousands attend memorial service for Tejano legend Emilio Navaira

Former music partner shares memories of Navaira

SAN ANTONIO – Thousands of people attended Sunday's memorial service for Tejano music legend Emilio Navaira at the Freeman Coliseum.

Among those in attendance was a man who helped in giving Navaira his first big shot at a career in music.

"He was with me for a good six or seven years. We recorded five or six albums. It's something I'll always remember," said David Lee Garza, of David Lee Garza & Los Musicales. "He took it beyond Texas, just like Selena did."

Navaira's brother spoke on stage of how Emilio learned to play on a guitar their father bought at a pawn shop. He also thanked their uncle for teaching the brothers their signature dance that, along with their music, entertained millions.

"For a Hispanic, he was an inspiration, because there was a lot of kids that would like to follow in that footstep as far as singing. And he opened up that door for them," Maria Serrano, a fan of Navaira, said of the late singer.

Garza said he remembered the last time he saw Navaira.

"Two months ago, we worked in Houston. It was touch and go. We got up on stage, he was going on stage, he looked to the sign and he saw me. He walks over there and hugs me and gives me a kiss on the cheek (and) tells me he loves me and takes off to go play," Garza said.

Navaira's funeral is 1 p.m. Monday at San Fernando Cathedral in San Antonio. The service is open to the public.