In the early hours of Thursday, May 10, 2018, America lost a fearless soldier, beloved patriot, tough authoritarian, and lover of pan dulce. If there was a Captain America, it most definitely was Richard Jessie Garcia. He lived a life of great adventure, remarkable toughness, and devoted service to his country. Richard is preceded in the afterlife by his mother, father, and brother. He is survived by his wife Frances Martinez-Garcia, daughters Karen Rudolph and Tricia Garcia-Choudary, son Alexander Garcia, grandchildren Alex Pablo Garcia, Diego Garcia, Grace Celeste Garcia, and Angel Garcia, and many half-siblings.
One of Richard’s greatest inspirations was World War II, arguably the greatest conflict in the history of humankind. Everything he heard, read, and saw about the war and “the Greatest Generation” profoundly influenced his adult life.
As a child and young man, he attended both St. Michael’s Catholic School and Central Catholic High School in San Antonio. In his senior year, and true to his childhood inspiration, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps for a short time before bridging to the U.S. Army for six glorious years as a 101st Airborne “Screaming Eagle” paratrooper. His travels took him far and wide including Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. He drank too much beer and parajumped onto car windshields, not necessarily in that order. He drove Army trucks in icy Alaska and sacrificed his body to the rigors of parajumping in service to his country.
After an honorable discharge, he completed his education, received his high school diploma, and worked as both an armored truck driver and in his father’s business. Looking for further adventures, he moved to the Big Apple where he drove the mean streets of New York City as a cabbie. He even worked as U.S. Postal Service employee, where he said he came across the infamous David Berkowitz, a fellow employee. On a brighter note, he met a beautiful woman from Peru named Frances and made the single best decision of his life to marry her. They started a little family and moved back to San Antonio to settle.
Though Richard had many nicknames, including Bull, Richie, and Gato because he had more lives than a cat, he was best known as a fighter. No matter the odds, he could always be counted on to fight back. No matter the problem, he never gave up. He only put down his rifle willingly when he heard the call from his good Lord.
“He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust" (Psalm 91:1-2).
In lieu of flowers, the family humbly requests donations to charities including Operation Homefront, the American Heart Association, and the American Lung Association.
Open visitation will be from 6-9pm, with Rosary at 7pm, on Friday, May 11, 2018 at Sunset Funeral Home at 1701 Austin Highway, San Antonio, Texas. The private funeral will begin with a Catholic service at 1pm, followed by the burial on Saturday, May 12, 2018 at the Holy Cross Cemetery Chapel at 17501 Nacogdoches Road, San Antonio, Texas.
