Rene Fernando Garcia

While he was born in Falfurrias, he was raised in Ramirez, Texas, and it was McAllen where he would go on to spend majority of his years. It was in Falfurrias where he wound up meeting and marrying the love of his life, Araceli, and it was the place where they began their family. Together they welcomed five children and created enough memories to fill his lifetime and more. For many years, Rene worked as a driver for different companies such as a milkman for Bordens, driving a bus for Trailways to different destinations, and a truck driver for companies like Halliburton. He was most proud of his work driving 18 wheelers, especially with Halliburton, but enjoyed driving any big rig if given the opportunity. He enjoyed work as a driver for nearly 50 years until it came time to retire. Of course, even then he remained a wonderful copilot who still remembered which roads and routes would be best to take on your travels. We believe it is safe to say you could consider him a human GPS. If you were lucky enough, he would tell you all about the places he had been and the sights he had seen along the road. He was never one to shy away from entertaining company with one of his “back then” stories and he was always quick to remind you it was a “back then” story not a “way back then” story. The latter implied that he was old which he continuously refuted as each year passed. He was a man who enjoyed the company of his family, but always made sure he was in the presence of his wife. He was always one to remind her how much he loved her and couldn’t be without her. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend to many if not all who knew him. He had quite the sense of humor and loved to joke around with friends and family. He especially enjoyed the company of those who could dish it back and when he knew he’d been beat he’d lovingly respond, “You’re all right, Larusso.” In case you couldn’t tell, he was a big movie buff and one of Chuck Norris’s biggest fans. His quick wit and unique charisma will continue to live on in the memory of his family and friends.

Rene is preceded in death by his two grandchildren Zachary and Dustin Hinojosa; his parents, Beatriz and Ovidio Garcia; his godparents who raised him Juan and Otila Olivarez and brother, Jose Ovidio Garcia.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 58 years of marriage, Araceli T. Garcia; five children, Rene Fernando (Cynthia) Garcia, Jr., Rena (ϮRene) Soliz, Araceli Garcia, Michelle (Hector) Sauceda, and Denise (Rueben) Cantu; 10 grandchildren – Daniel Garza, Tiffany Martinez, Samantha Alonzo, Daniel Allen Garcia, Jennifer Kent, Felicia Garcia, Hugo Cantu Jr, Nicole Cantu, Emily Young, and Aris Soliz, 9 step-grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, and 9 step-great grandchildren.

Pallbearers: Rene F. Garcia, Jr., Daniel Garza, Daniel Allen Garcia, Hugo Cantu, Jr., Aris Soliz, Gustavo Garcia, Jesse Alonzo, Jr., Kenny Martinez, Justin Kent, Kody Martinez.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 11 pm, with a 7 pm rosary, on Thursday, February 23, 2023, at Funeraria del Angel Palm Valley in Pharr. A catholic mass will take place at 11 am on Friday, February 24, 2023, at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Mission. Interment will follow at 1 pm in Palm Valley Memorial Gardens in Pharr.

Funeral services are under the direction of Funeraria del Angel Palm Valley in Pharr.