Efrain Garcia MD

Efrain was born in Lares, Puerto Rico to Emilia Gonzalez and Pablo Garcia. He received his MD from the University of Puerto Rico in 1955 and joined the United States Army Medical Corp in 1957. He was stationed at Brook Army Medical Center at Fort Sam Houston, Texas where he met his wife of 64 years, Rosemary Kendrigan. He served eight years active duty including overseas in Japan and Korea.

Efrain's life was devoted to his family, his patients, and the practice of medicine. He was a devout Catholic and parishioner of St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church for over 50 years. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.

Teaching and continuing education were a very important part of his life. He truly enjoyed mentoring residents and fellows over the decades. Efrain was a lifelong learner and always had a steady stream of medical journals and golf magazines on-hand for study.

Efrain started his private practice when he moved his family to Houston in 1965. In 1969, he co-founded Hall-Garcia Cardiology with Dr. Robert Hall, where he practiced until his retirement in 2004. While running the practice, he also held several leadership positions at Texas Heart Institute and St. Luke’s Episcopal Hospital. These roles included Assistant Medical Director at Texas Heart Institute, Director of Clayton Foundation for Research Cardiovascular Laboratories, and Co-Director Texas Heart Institute Cardiovascular Physiology Laboratories at St. Luke’s and Texas Children’s Hospital, and Clinical Professor of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine.

Efrain is preceded in death by his loving wife, Rosemary; his parents Emilia and Pablo Garcia; and his siblings Maria Teresa, Pablo, Carmen Delia, Miguel Angel, Luis Felipe, and Jesusa. He is survived by his five children: Margarita Garcia Jannasch, Rosanne Garcia Caton, Alicia Garcia Priest, Sara Garcia Barkley, and Carmen Garcia Smith; sons-in-law Gregory Jannasch, Thornton Priest, Howard Thomas Barkley III, and Phillip Todd Smith; grandchildren Zachary Jannasch and wife Madison, Travis Caton and wife Julia, Kelsey Caton, John Priest, Jason Priest, and Erin Smith; great-grandchildren Emilia, Charles, and Leo; and his brother Modesto Enrique.

The family wishes to extend special thanks to his colleagues and friends at Hall-Garcia Cardiology. The family also thanks the caregivers, the entire staff, and residents of The Hallmark who welcomed Efrain and Rosemary into the community.

Services for Dr. Garcia were held privately for his immediate family.

In lieu of customary remembrances, and for those desiring, the family requests that memorial contributions in Efrain’s name be directed to San Jose Clinic, 2615 Fannin St. Houston Texas 77002. (or simply select the direct link below under "Donations").

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