Jose Antonio Garcia

Help us remember a journey worth celebrating, (dad) Joe

 Joe, was on born August 31, 1933. He lived to the amazing age of 92. Mom ran into the arms of Jesus on January 22 2026, and dad - an equally devoted man who loved the Lord - join in that embrace Feb 3rd 2026.

 Dad was born Jose Antonio Garcia to Antonio and Angela Villarreal Garcia, on a harrowing Thursday evening of the 31st of August 1933. It’s was a deadly Category 5 hurricane that hit Brownsville that night. It laid out destruction from Cuba to Brownsville, sending everyone seeking refuge and shelter. Through the wind and rain, he was carried tightly in his mothers arms. With trust, she passed her only son up to outstretched arms through an open Cathedral window, seeking safety. 

Joe was second-born in a family of four children. He is last to join, his sister Nana and his two brothers, George and Raul, in the arms of the Lord. Much like facing a hurricane as a newborn, he lived life the same way - with strength and might. Challenges in life they were just the next thing to do. He lived a life of honor, dignity, strength, courage, commitment and love.

 As a child, he worked hard, earning what he could. With his hard earned wages, he eagerly bought the best flour for his mother to make tortillas. His youth was filled with odd jobs and just doing his part helping out. Picking oranges was a memory he held onto… or at least it was a memory he remembered tasting good. Helping out was expected in those lean times. He didn’t complain, he just did. He carried that hard work ethic his whole 92 years. 

He served as a Marine in the Korean War - the “forgotten war.” He served with quiet strength. He intended to join the first group he came across, he later said he was glad the door to paratroopers was closed. It was a little adjustment leaving his very tropical life to join the Marines; it began a new journal in his life. He had never experienced extreme cold, or ever seen or felt snow on his skin. He was lucky to have a top bunk at sea while crossing, when many of his fellow soldiers often felt a little green.

 The world was different - with harsh freezing winters, step terrains and swift moving conflicts - but he endured it all without complaint. It took a lifetime before he reflected of his time spent there. Like many soldiers, he returned, leaving that part of his life in the past, without a word. His return home meant finding a new path to take and learning new skills to live by.

 And that’s when he met mom. The love of his life. 

As a Marine, he lead his family in love that remained steady and calm. He set the tone through example over words. He was our protector and provider. What was important was his simply being there. He could be found hanging out in the closet in the middle of the night keeping us quiet so mom could sleep

. As a child, I tipped over a chair onto my mother’s foot and broke it. Dad was there, scooping me up, “Ohh baby - mommy not in the mood right now,” carrying me off out of harms’s way. 

He had a way of letting you figure things out on your own - and, of course, if needed, he could tell you what to do. His strength wasn’t only in discipline; it was also his sense of humor that could make a hard situation a little easier. Often when at the table, talk consisted of the latest news of the day or lighthearted fun about anything silly - at which he was a master.

 Like his entering the room saying Guten Morgen with a slight resemblance of a German accent, which soon morphed into “goose morning.” It’s a thing - we go around saying “goose morning” now!

 He was a man who lead with consistency, serve without keeping score, and taught his family that real courage looks like kindness, responsibility, and unconditional love. 

Dad absolutely loved the Lord. He had an eagerness about what he was learning and wanted to share it with you - until he felt you shared his same enthusiasm. If he felt you didn’t get what he was saying, he would start over. His favorite verse being... Romans 8:2-4

 Whenever we all sat around the table to eat, Dad would start the blessing. If you ever shared this moment with him, then you know it was a mini-sermon all on its own and he covered everyone in every situation. He covered his children, work, travel, and health; the list grew a as needs increased. You knew he was hungry if he asked you to say to the blessing. 

There were a few occasions when dad had his 15 minutes of fame (and he never relished in it), but he could be spotted caught behind the scenes in a few candid moments on camera. He worked his entire working career as an engineer for KBMT TV Channel 12. He started when the doors opened until he retired. He even went back after retirement to work part-time. He loved to work. He loved being productive and inventive. There where no small jobs - there was just things to be done.

 He had that approach not only at work, but wherever he was. At home in the yard, on the house, on the car - it was just his work ethic, in life in general. If it seemed impossible, or he didn’t have the tool, then that’s when creativity shined. It wasn’t always pretty, but it would work! His work ethic spoke volumes! 

Joe and Alice were married in July of 1960. They both brought different strengths to an amazing marriage. In her gentleness, her strength endured with love; her care made you feel safe and comforted. She assured her love for the whole family. Dad’s strength wasn’t only in his physical abilities - it showed most in his quiet presence. He illustrated duty and responsibility throughout his walk in life, whether it be at work or at home.

 His love for mom was always sweet and kind - never missing the opportunity to make her laugh. Laughter was an instrument he played well… or at least perpetually fine-tuned. It brought out the little kid in him. Who couldn’t be happy if you were laughing? His desire to make you laugh made life fun. It made you spend time bantering back and forth for one more pun, one more dad joke - just one more moment of laughter.

 The dancing…

 If you know the story of when mom and dad met, you know he caught a glimpse of her from across the dance floor. She wore a green Chaffin dress with a satin green silk ribbon tied at her waist. Her hair gleamed a fiery red. Her green eyes sealed the deal. Others say it was her homemade tortillas that sealed that deal, but countless childhood memories remind me how blessed he considered his life with her in it. 

He always referred to Mom as a Hollywood movie star. ‘Yes, she’s a Hollywood movie star’ he would say. From that first night on the dance floor, and throughout their life together, they stayed arm and arm. 

They danced arm and arm their whole life. If music played in the background on the TV or the radio, you could catch them shuffling a few steps through the den, and then returning to what they were doing. Well into their 80’s, they would still make a date night to a local pub that played live big band music. 

The waitress—even before they made it to ther regular seat would deliver a glass of Rosa wine to Dad and a Shirley temple to Mom. It wasn’t uncommon for strangers to stopped them before they even had a chance to sit down after a dance and complement them on how graceful and beautiful they looked dancing. Dad had his own style and swagger but most would agree Mom made him look good.

 They lived a life of love and respect for each other, all that contributing to a thriving and successful marriage for over 65 years.

 It was teamwork that built a strong family. Mom’s strength was her gentle, nurturing nature. Dad’s quiet presence spoke volumes in his leadership, determination and dedication to a responsible work ethic. Their teamwork molded us in the right direction. As one of six children, they instilled in us the values of what matters most in family and relationships: find joy, share laughter do what is right and most of all love the Lord.

 Their front porch moments held a peaceful respite for the two of them. It was a place to enjoy a cup of coffee. On cooler days, it was a place to soak in the morning sun for gentle warmth. On steamy days, it offered a place to cool down when the heat became unforgiving. Mom would flag Dad down after a long day of tending to the yard - for a cool drink and quick break to catch up on their day, or checking what came in the mail. The planter that surrounds the porch, blooms a flora refuge where they would sit and watch the hummingbirds fight over the rights of their artificial flower known as a feeder.

 They both enjoyed an early supper, and of course homemade - from - scratch cooking was a favored choice. It almost always included home made tortillas. A lifetime of enjoyment was spent consuming those hot, right-off-the skillet, rolled-up buttery bites of goodness! 

To round out the day, they would settling down to a good (Bible) movie - or preacher they both enjoyed. Friday nights offered a new scheduled show of good toe tapping music. They weren’t picky: it could be gospel, bluegrass, country, or even polka. 

It was much the same each night, Mom on the left side of the cozy loveseat, Dad on the right. He would pull her tired feet on his lap and rub the day’s aches away. They shared a comfortable life and they worked on it together. 

When we buried my mother less then a week ago, I went out to clean up their marker on their cemetery plots purchased over 63 years ago. And on it is inscribed: “Together Forever” They lived that everyday of their shared life. Jesus didn’t keep them apart for long - they are again “Together Forever.” 

A message to his children, (Mike Tapia, Glynn Garcia & Diana Garcia, Rudy Garcia & Sheila Garcia and Lori Simmons & Jay Simmons) grandchildren (Evan Garcia, Trenton Garcia & Alexis Garcia, Ryan Garcia & Holly Garcia, Rachel Pilarski, Benjamin Tapia & Sarah Tapia) and great-grandchildren (Jackson Pilarski, Julia Pilarski, Olivia Tapia, Lilliana Tapia, Madyson Tapia, Mason Tapia, Cayden Tapia & Bailey Tapia). Listen to the word of the Lord. Learn what the Bible has to teach you. Do what is right. 

Favorite bible verse: Romans 8:1-4 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. 3For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, 4in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 

Join us in remembering his journey worth celebrating:  Saturday, February 14, 2026

 Visitation will be held 10am - 11am 

with the service starting at 11am

 All services will take place at: Melancon Levingston Funeral Home : 1605 Ave, H Nederland Tx 

Burial will follow service at Memory Gardens Cemetery US-69, Nederland, TX 

We give thanks to God for Jose’s life—he shared his love of the Lord and gave his Joy away.

 I wasn’t home the night dad leaped into the arms of the Lord. But I looked outside that night and noticed the thunder rolling in - the lightning flashing and illuminating the dark horizon, the rain pouring down and the wind billowing the palms back and forth. It reminded me of Dad and his love for the rain. He enjoyed the calming drum performed safely on the roof - the splash that silenced the outside noise. It washed all it touched; it cleaned away dust and pollen - and it did just that. 

The next time I looked outside, the world glistened and shimmered like a shiny new coin.

 I was told that one of the last words he said was, “Hi Lori.” I took every opportunity to whisper in his ear, “love you Dad” And every time I walked into the room, I started with - “Hey Dad!”

 I cherish his sweet dimpled grin and his calling out to me: “Hi Baby!”