Ralph Garcia Jr.

Ralph Garcia, Jr. was born on September 10, 1947 and passed away on April 23, 2015. He grew up in the same neighborhood his entire life. He attended Mendel Elementary, Hambrick Junior High and MacArthur High School. Ralph attended Farrington Baptist Church where he accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior and baptized. While at Farrington he was a Royal Ambassador’s. He played for a church league for softball and fell in love with the sport of baseball. His first job was at Kentucky Fried Chicken. He raced cars with his friends in Porter, Texas during his teenage years. During his senior year of high school Ralph was drafted in the Armed Forces. He completed his boot camp in Fort Polk, Louisiana for the Army. He did his patriotic duty by serving in Vietnam. He was a gunner in a Cobra Chopper and was awarded the Bronze Medal along with his whole unit. His other awards include: NDM [National Defense Medal], VSM [Vietnam Service Medal], VCM [Vietnam Campaign Medal] and 2 O/S BARS [2 Over Sea Bars]. Ralph was known for his funny sense of humor. He loved country music, riding horses, attending the Rodeo and of course, dancing while wearing his favorite Western attire. He worked for Shlitz where he became involved in cook-offs during Rodeo time and enjoyed Texas BBQ.

Ralph is preceded in death by his younger brother, Abel Artie Garcia. His memories will be cherished by his surviving relatives; parents: Rafael Garcia, Sr. and Esther C. Garcia; sisters: Yolanda Cerda & husband Tony, Hilda Sanchez and Linda Padilla; numerous nephews, nieces, aunts, cousins along with his Best Friend Amel Garcia. Visitation will be from 5-8PM on Monday, April 27th. Funeral service will be held at 11AM on Tuesday, April 28th at Brookside Funeral Home. Interment will follow in Brookside Memorial Park.