Gilberto Garcia Sr.

Gilberto Garcia Sr., 93, passed from this life and entered eternal rest on Tuesday, February 16, 2021. His family and friends will remember him as a kind, noble, and gentle-hearted person.

Mr. Garcia is preceded in death by his parents, Florencio and Carmen T. Garcia, and his beloved wife, Elvia Garza Garcia.

Gilberto Garcia Sr. was born August 8, 1927, to Florencio and Carmen Garcia in Laredo, Texas. He was the fourth of eight children; Esperanza+, Florencio Jr., Reynaldo, Adolfo+, Carmen+, Fernando+, and Maria Elena. He married the love of his life, Elvia Elena Garza, on September 12, 1948. He was a veteran of World War II serving in the Army as a Private First Class. He was awarded The Good Conduct Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Theater of Operation Medal, National Defense Medal, and Victory Medal. He and his brothers founded the Garcia Brother's Banana Company in Laredo. Gilberto was involved in LULAC 12 Señor International and Noche Mexicana. He participated in the Cursillo movement and volunteered at the HEB's Thanksgiving Feast of Sharing.

Left to cherish his memory are his loving children, Gilberto (Eliza) Garcia Jr., Elvia Garcia, and Griselda Garcia, as well as his grandchildren Eliza Garcia, Gilbert (Crisela) Garcia III, Juan Guillermo (Jennifer) Sanchez, Cynthia Sanchez, Mario (Prissyla) Sanchez, James Villarreal Jr., and Kimberly Gonzalez; great-grandchildren Carolina Garcia, Gilbert Garcia, Cordelia Garcia, Cynthia Sanchez, Mason Duran, Angelica Widas, Makayla Sanchez, Olivia Sanchez, Justin Villarreal, and Alejandra Villarreal.

A rosary will be recited on Saturday, February 20, 2021, at 9:30 a.m. in the Hillside Funeral Home chapel. A visitation will be held from 8:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. The formal procession will follow to Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church. A mass will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m.

Military Honors will be provided by the American Legion Post 59 Honor Guard.

Interment will follow to the family plot of the Calvary Catholic Cemetery.

A special thank you to Dr. Carlos Llanes, Zita Ramirez (caregiver), and the staff at DaVita Dialysis.

In accordance with the City ordinance, the number of visitors will be limited. Please continue to wear a mask, practice social distancing, and honor the family from a distance. You may express your condolences to the family on our website at www.hillsidefuneral.com

Arrangements are under the direction of Hillside Funeral Home, 310 Hillside Road.