Eugene (Gene) Garcia, Sr., passed away peacefully on June 14 after a valiant fight with cancer at the age of 69. Mr. Garcia was preceded in death by father, Joe Garcia, brother, Henry Garcia and beloved daughter Andrea Garcia-Flores; mother and father-in-law, Cecilia and Gonsalo Moreno, and beloved aunt, Esther Garcia. Mr. Garcia is survived by his mother, Juanita P. Garcia; beloved wife of 48 years, Carolyn (Carol) Garcia; children, Eugene (Geno) Garcia, Jr., Alex Uribe; siblings, Roy Garcia (Linda), Roland Garcia (Janie), Rosie Castillo (Roger), Richard Garcia (Rose), Mary Helen Torres, Joe Albert Garcia (Liz), Isabel Vasquez and Daniel Garcia (Belinda); sisters-in-law Beatrice Moreno, Hilda Gomez (Rene), Cris De Los Santos (Anthony).
Gene valued integrity and strived for excellence in his career and community service. He is remembered as: a loving husband, devoted father, grandfather, brother and son. His mother-in-law, Cecilia Moreno, described him as a caring, loving, warmhearted son-in-law. His family, friends and associates describe him as a talented, caring, compassionate, and fun loving individual who lived and enjoyed life to the fullest. The time he treasured most was time spent with his family and friends. His free time was spent on many diverse activities including: listening and dancing to Tejano music; deep sea fishing, hunting, barbequing at home, going to handcraft shows, and eating out at favorite restaurants. Cooking and attempting to duplicate new dishes he discovered at a restaurant was a challenge he enjoyed. He used to tell people that he didn’t have any hobbies. However, whenever his wife (Carol) was involved in working on a new art project, Gene would work alongside her providing detail ideas that enhanced the finished product. After attending an exhibition of hand painted Ostrich eggs, he decided to decorate some of his own. His friends and family were amazed at the fine painting techniques he used.
Education: He attended John J. Pershing Elementary School, Ralph Waldo Emerson Middle School, and graduated from Louis W. Fox Technical and Vocational (Fox Tech) High School in 1966. At Fox Tech, he was a member of the ROTC and the Tech Little Theater. He was a member of VICA as an architectural drafting student. Drafting opened the path to his longtime career in Architectural design.
Military Service: After graduation, he volunteered to enlist into the Marines where he served two tours of duty from 1966 to 1972 during the Viet Nam War. He re-enlisted for the second tour because he wanted to spare his brothers from being sent to a war zone. He was assigned to the Third Battalion. The Marine training he received guided him throughout his life. “Once a Marine always a Marine” was an ethic he proudly demonstrated. Gene obtained the rank of Sergeant (E-5) and received an honorable discharge. His medals and citations include: the Presidential Unit Citation, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal (3 stars), the Republic of South Vietnam Campaign Medal, and Rifle Sharpshooter Badge.
Employment Opportunities: During his senior year in high school, Gene, along with several of his architectural drafting classmates, began working part time for David McCarr and Ignacio Torres Architectural firm. After his military discharge, he returned to work full-time for McCarr and Torres Architectural firm. Upon completion of his military service, Gene returned to work full-time for David McCarr and Ignacio Torres. Gene worked with Jose DeLara-Killis Almond Architects, who specialized in the restoration/renovation of historical buildings and structures throughout Texas. A unique project that Gene worked on was the restoration of the three story Dullnig Building in downtown San Antonio. He compiled a reference book containing pertinent information regarding the unique materials and exterior architectural building design features. Later, he had the opportunity to work at Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) where he was assigned to the Architect’s Office designing in-house projects. Prestige Homes was his most recent employment until his retirement in December 2017. He designed custom homes, which are located throughout many San Antonio neighborhoods.
Community Service and Association Involvement: He was a member of the League of United Latin American Citizens (Lulac) Council #2, where he served on several Rey Feo Scholarship fundraising campaigns. He was also a member of the Fox Tech Ex-Students Association whose functions provide college scholarships to Fox Tech graduates. He was involved in plans regarding the various Class of 1966 reunions. The most recent was the 50th reunion. As a member of the San Antonio Conservation Society, he volunteered to work at Night in Old San Antonio (NIOSA) for numerous years. Mr. Garcia was a San Antonio Independent School District (SAISD) Board Member, District 1. His direct involvement included: Renovations, upgrades or new building additions within his district to Edgar Allen Poe, Mark Twain, and Hawthorne Middle schools. During this time, Fox Tech and Brackenridge High Schools became Magnet Schools. He worked tirelessly to ensure monies were available to implement the special programs and curriculum these two schools needed. When Travis elementary school closed, Gene was instrumental in the re-opening of the school as an early college preparatory school high school partnering it with San Antonio College, which was one of the first early college preparatory high schools in the SAISD system. The goal of the school was to provide each graduate a high school diploma, an AA (Associate of Liberal Arts) degree and a smooth transition to a four year college. Travis High School received the highly prized Blue Ribbon School award in 2017. Gene’s grandson Alex Uribe, graduated from Travis Elementary school and Hawthorne Academy. He returned to Travis as a high school student where he graduated with a high school diploma; and an associate degree from San Antonio College in May 2017. While his children were in school, both Gene and Carol were involved in PTA, volunteering in the school’s fundraising events, and keeping up with the extracurricular activities each participated in. As a grandfather, Gene was a CYO coach for Alex’s T Ball and soccer teams at St. John’s Catholic Church.
This was one of many events the entire family attended. With each child, he instilled how important it was to be responsible, trustworthy, respectful, to have good character, a good work ethic, to have integrity and the necessity of a good education.
Gene will be greatly missed by the many persons whose lives he touched. He leaves us with many happy memories of family gatherings, and the many celebrations of special occasions. We will remember Gene calling on the spur of the moment, to invite his friends and family members over to his home for a get together. It won't be the same without you, Gene; but you showed us by example how to face life’s challenges and how to have faith in God.
A visitation will begin Thursday, June 28, 2018 at 6:00 p.m. at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church, 3107 N. St. Mary’s St. A Rosary will be recited at 7:00 p.m. with a Mass of Resurrection to follow. A Memorial Service will be held at Funeraria del Angel Roy Akers, 515 N. Main Ave., San Antonio, Texas 78205, on Thursday, July 12 at 8:30 a.m., with the Procession departing from the funeral home at 9:15 a.m. for inurnment at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery with full military honors. In Lieu of Flowers, contributions to American Cancer Society or American Diabetes Association would be appreciated.
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