Antonio Garcia

Dr. Antonio Garcia-Carrillo died peacefully at home on Saturday, January 8, 2022, surrounded by his family. Born in San Salvador, El Salvador on June 12, 1938, to Felicito Garcia and Mercedes Carrillo de Garcia, he was the third oldest of nine children and the first-born son.

As a young man, Dr. Garcia attended high school at San Juan Bosco Catholic School. Through hard-work and dedication to his studies, he earned a scholarship to attend medical school at the University of El Salvador. He was one of forty students accepted that year and specialized in pediatric medicine. Upon his graduation in June of 1966, the then father of six began a pediatric internship at the Benjamin Bloom Children’s Hospital in San Salvador. By the last year of his internship, he had earned the role of Chief of Residents. Seeking additional internship experience, Dr. Garcia moved to Denver, Colorado in 1968 to serve as an intern at Mercy Hospital. His growing family joined him in the United States soon after, and in 1969 they moved to San Antonio, Texas, where Dr. Garcia completed his Pediatric Residency through the University of Texas Health Science Center - San Antonio. During this time, Dr. Garcia rotated between several hospitals, including Santa Rosa Hospital. After completing his work in San Antonio, the family moved to Austin, Texas, where Dr. Garcia worked at the School for Mental Retardation, while commuting regularly to complete additional training in Virginia.

In 1973, Dr. Garcia and his family moved to Houston, Texas, where the family put down roots for good. He initially joined a group of pediatricians in a private practice partnership, but after some time, Dr Garcia began his own practice, Clinica Pediatrica, located in the North side of Houston. Dr. Garcia, along with his wife, Martha, successfully ran this clinic and served the community for forty years. In addition to work through his private practice, Dr. Garcia was a member of several hospital systems throughout his career in Houston, including Parkway Hospital, Citizens General Hospital, St. Joseph Medical Center, and Texas Children’s Hospital (where he was a member for 45 years). Dr. Garcia was also a dedicated member of several professional organizations, including the Harris County Medical Society, the American Medical Association, the Hispanic American Medical Association, and the Salvadorian American Medical Society (for which he served as President).

When it came to his personal life, Dr. Garcia’s main interests were his faith and his family. He was a deeply committed Catholic and was a long-time member of St. Albert of Trapani Catholic Church. He was also the patriarch of a large family: father to nine children and grandfather to 14. Throughout his life, he took care to provide for his family and made several sacrifices on their behalf. As a young medical student, he took a bus to and from the library to study, knowing he could not afford to purchase his own books. Once in the States, he commuted from Texas to Virginia for trainings so as to not uproot his family further. While many may have seen Dr. Garcia as quiet or reserved, those who knew him best knew him to be a very funny man, one who was always joking and making others laugh. He was playful and loving and took pride in being the first doctor to examine his grandchildren after their births. His appreciation of music and love of photography have been passed to many of his children and grandchildren.

Dr. Garcia is survived by his beloved wife of 62 years, Martha Miriam Garcia, and by his devoted children: Elizabeth Garcia, Hugo Garcia, Martha Moon, Patricia Gassmann, Laura Manske, Eva Imperial, and Eric Garcia; he is preceded in death by his oldest daughter, Ana Cecilia Garcia, and his oldest son, Rafael Garcia. He is also survived by his cherished grandchildren: Candace Garcia, Allison and Jacob Gassmann, Carter, Andrew, and Christopher Moon, Reed and Sarah Manske, Marisa and Ethan Garcia, and Olivia, Mia, Sabrina and Nicolas Imperial; in-laws: Dean Moon, Dwayne Gassmann, Craig Manske, Sidney Imperial, and Laura Achenbaum; extended family members located in the U.S. and El Salvador, including loving siblings (he is preceded in death by his brother, Israel Garcia); doting nieces and nephews; and Jeff Hennis, who he loved as a son.

On Friday, January 21, 2022, there will be a viewing beginning at 4:00 p.m. and the praying of the rosary at 6:00 p.m. (followed by a reception) at Forest Park Westheimer Funeral Home (12800 Westheimer Rd.). A funeral mass will be held on Saturday, January 22, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Albert of Trapani Catholic Church (11027 S. Gessner Road). In lieu of flowers, the family requests that tribute donations in Dr. Garcia’s memory be sent to Texas Children’s Hospital P.O. Box 300630 Houston, Texas 77230-0630 or online at waystogive.texaschildrens.org/

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.forestparkwestheimer.com for the Garcia family.