Alfredo Garcia, Jr.

Alfredo Garcia Jr. was born in Corpus Christi, Texas to Alfredo and Anastasia Garcia. Shortly after his birth the family moved to San Benito, Texas, where his parents owned a Magnolia Petroleum service station and Singer Sewing Machine store. During the first few years business was good, however with the Great Depression and a devastating hurricane in 1933, his parents eventually sold the businesses and Alfredo’s father went to work as a policeman and later retired as a Municipal Court Judge. As a youth, Alfredo sold newspapers, worked part time in several grocery stores and during summers picked cotton.

Alfredo was a keen observer and very interested in events unfolding in Europe in the late 1930’s. Not having a radio at home he would go to a nearby business to listen to the President’s speeches and developments in the war in Europe. When the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor it was Alfredo’s plan to finish school and enlist as an aviation cadet.

After graduating from high school, he went to the Harlingen Arial Gunnery Base and passed the written portion of the aviation test. Two weeks later he took the physical exam and was not accepted because he did not meet the minimum weight requirements. Alfredo pleaded with the flight surgeon, to approve him for the program citing that he could out arm-wrestle guys that out-weighed him but to no avail. He weighed 136 and the minimum weight was 140. Disillusioned, he joined a migrant crew to work in the construction of an oil refinery in the Texas Panhandle. After several months he got his draft notice.

Alfredo was inducted at Fort Sam Houston, Texas and after a few days was on a troop train to Camp Croft, South Carolina. If he couldn’t fly, he was determined to be the best infantryman he could be. He served his country honorably and courageously seeing combat action in the South Pacific where he was wounded and subsequently awarded the Purple Heart. He received numerous medals and citations for his service and valor, and concluded his military service at the rank of Staff Sergeant.

In September, 1946 Alfredo enrolled at the University of Texas at Austin and received a degree in Government with a minor in History. In 1947 he married his college sweetheart, Maria Torrez. They had five children.

His first job was as a policeman in his hometown and in January 1952 he was appointed as a Juvenile Probation Officer in Austin, Texas. In 1958 he became one of forty State parole officers after establishment of a paid parole system in Texas. He served in the Corpus Christi, San Antonio and Austin District Offices as a parole officer. Alfredo found that the most rewarding experience was helping young offenders get back on the right path.

In 1966 Alfredo went to work for the Office of Economic Opportunity, an agency established by President Lyndon Johnson to help carry out the initiatives of the Kennedy

Administration. In 1974 he was appointed Chief of Civil Rights with the Economic Development Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce from where he eventually retired after 29 years of dedicated service.

In addition to his professional accomplishments Alfredo was active in the local community and instrumental in initiating and promoting programs for disadvantaged youth. He was a founding member of National IMAGE Inc., an organization dedicated to enhancing employment and economic opportunities for all individuals. He was also active in the Knights of Columbus at St. Teresa’s Catholic Church. He served on numerous boards and commissions. Alfredo worked tirelessly in all his efforts promoting justice and equality.

He was preceded in death by his parents, sister, Yolanda Ramirez, brother, Arturo Garcia and brothers-in-law, T. O. Ramirez, and Joe Salinas, and sister-in-law, Lorraine Garcia.

Alfredo is survived by his wife of 65 years, Maria and their five children, Suzanne Guerrero and husband Alfredo Hernandez, Mario Garcia and wife Elsa of Las Vegas, Nevada, Albert Garcia and wife Dawn McKim, Marc Garcia, Marisa Krug and husband Daniel; five granddaughters, Suzanne Pekarek and husband Rob of Okinawa, Japan, Lynette Guerrero and husband Rick Rousseau, Claudia Romney and husband Brett of Las Vegas, Nevada, Laura Shields and husband Pete of Corvallis, Oregon, and Victoria Garcia; and three great grandchildren. His brother, Arnold Garcia, and sisters, Idalia Montalvo and husband, Alfredo, Norma Aten and husband, Gehrie, Emilia Salinas and a sister-in-law, Faye Garcia; many nieces and nephews, also survive him.

Alfredo was a dedicated husband, father and grandfather that loved his family deeply. His greatest legacy to his children and grandchildren was his conviction to always do the right thing even if it was not popular. He lived that principle his entire his life. He enjoyed life and pursuing his many passions. He also enjoyed travel, golf, snow skiing, and jet skiing, which he did well into his eighties. He was also a die-hard Longhorn fan. He left a lasting impression on all who knew him and will be forever in the hearts of his family and friends.

The family wishes to thank his special caregiver, Teresa Davis and the other dedicated caregivers who provided loving care in his final days, including Marie Willis and Alma Guzman.

Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from five o’clock until seven o’clock in the evening, on Wednesday, the 8th of August 2012, at Cook-Walden Funeral Home, 6100 North Lamar Boulevard, Austin, Texas. A Rosary will be recited at seven o’clock that evening.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at ten o’clock in the morning on Thursday, the 9th of August, at St. Theresa Catholic Church, 4311 Small Drive, Austin, Texas. Interment will follow in Austin Memorial Park Cemetery with US Army Honors under the direction of Cook-Walden Funeral Home.

Active pallbearers are sons, Mario, Albert, and Marc; son-in-law, Daniel Krug; nephew, Joe Salinas, grandsons-in-law, Brett Romney and Pete Shields; Armando Flores and Justin Buckler. Honorary pallbearers are friends Alfredo Hernandez, Richard Rousseau, Charles Gembinski, Leon Whitney, Larry Richards, and Pat Short.