Rafael Antonio Garcia

Rafael Antonio Garcia died peacefully at home on Friday, February 19, 2021, surrounded by friends and family. Born in San Salvador, El Salvador on October 25, 1961 to Dr. Antonio and Martha Garcia, he was the third oldest of nine children and first-born son.

Rafael and his family came to the United States in 1969. The family first moved to Colorado, and then to San Antonio and Austin before calling Houston home in 1973. A graduate of Sharpstown High School (class of 1979, where he said he “hung with the party crowd and the smart crowd”), Rafael later studied at the University of Houston (U of H) with a focus in computer science. While studying at U of H, Rafael began working for Transamerica Tax Service and quickly learned the real estate and tax industries. This was a career path that he followed for the rest of his life. For the past two decades, he was a devoted employee of National TaxNet and served as Branch Manager for many years.

Rafael was a bigger-than-life personality. He will be remembered as a pillar of his family, taking a seat at the table every Sunday in his parents’ home for family lunch. Enjoying a meal with loved ones enriched his body and his soul. Rafael’s musical interests spanned all genres, including classic country, rock and roll, or all of the hit makers of the 1970s, like Elton John and Queen. In fact, Rafael could often be found at a concert nearly any night of the week (last minute tickets were often the best tickets). If not at a concert, Rafael could surely be found at a sporting event, but most especially cheering on his beloved team, the Houston Astros. Rafael was a fan of the Astros dating back to the 1970s, supporting the team through decades of ups and downs. He celebrated wholeheartedly when they became World Series Champions in 2017. Additionally, Rafael loved to travel, visiting countries around the world and often spending time with family in El Salvador and San Francisco, CA. He was also a long-time member of St. Albert of Trapani Catholic Church, where he regularly volunteered. As he summarized in his own words on a brick outside of Minute Maid Park, his life loves included: “family, friends, food, women, music, [and the] Astros.”

In addition to his parents, Rafael is survived by his sisters, Elizabeth Garcia, Martha Moon, Patricia Gassmann, Laura Manske, and Eva Imperial; as well as brothers, Hugo Garcia and Eric Garcia. He is also survived by fourteen nieces and nephews who he adored: 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; loving in-laws: Dean Moon, Dwayne Gassmann, Craig Manske, Sidney Imperial, Kimberly Garcia, and Laura Achenbaum; as well as extended family members. He is also survived by innumerable friends (many of his friendships were life-long), especially: Bryan Underwood, Kim and Tom Mullins, Jeff Hennis, Margaret Williams, and Daniel Lasof. He is preceded in death by his oldest sister, Ana Cecilia Garcia; his uncles: Mario Valencia, Israel Garcia, Mauricio Valencia, and Narciso Valencia; cousin, Carlos Valencia; dear friend, Stephanie London; and his grandparents, Felicito and Mercedes Garcia and Alfonso Rico and Aminta Valencia. Rafael’s absence will leave so many of us with gaping holes in our hearts; he will never be forgotten.

A mass will be held on Friday, March 5, 2021, at 12:00 PM at St. Albert of Trapani Catholic Church at 11027 S. Gessner Road. Viewing at 11:30 AM. A private burial service will follow.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Sunshine Kids Foundation at https://www.sunshinekids.org/donate.html or by mail to 2814 Virginia Street, Houston, TX 77098.