Ernest Garcia

Ernest Garcia, 94 years old, was born October 9, 1926, in Alvin, Texas to Robert and Herlinda Garcia. He was one of five brothers.

“Ernie” grew up in Alvin, graduated from Alvin High School and joined the United States Navy. Upon his honorable discharge from military service, he married his high school sweetheart Vicenta Laredo. They were married for 65 years, and they raised their children in Alvin.  He was the owner of an upholstery trim shop known as Garcia’s Trim Shop for many years.

The green metallic building was not only the site for his business, but it also served as a place to build and store homecoming floats, extra equipment for high water rescues during hurricanes and a place to put his family, relatives, and friends for shelter during many hurricanes. He never missed an opportunity to teach so he had drills and assigned tasks for his kids and the nieces, nephews and friends who planned to stay in the green metallic shop.

His family was a proud military family. All five of the brothers served in different military branches from WW II, Korean War and the youngest brother who died in a car crash before his Army assignment.

Ernest not only served his country, but he also served his community. He was a school bus driver and on the last day of school, which many kids chose not to ride the bus, he would take whoever was on his bus to Malt N Burger and treat everyone to an ice cream cone. He and the kids who rode the bus would laugh and tell stories while enjoying their surprise cones. That is the only day his own two kids got to ride his bus too! He really enjoyed driving the football team to its out-of-town games, while he considered the band bus a little more challenging.

He was a member of the local VFW, served as a member of the Alvin City Council and was a proud member of the Alvin Volunteer Fire Department of which he still considered himself a retired member for life. Ernie never met a stranger and was always ready to lend a helping hand to anyone whenever and wherever needed.

Mr. Garcia passed away peacefully on Saturday, July 24, 2021, in San Antonio, Texas. Services will be held at Oak Park Funeral Home on Wednesday, August 4, 2021. Visitation will be at 10 am, Funeral Services at 11 am with interment in Oak Park Cemetery.

He was predeceased by his wife Vicenta “Honey” Garcia and his son Reynaldo “Chuck” Garcia. He is survived by his daughter, Cynthia Aguirre, and husband Gilberto. He leaves behind five grandchildren:  Michael Garcia, Melissa Diaz and husband Jose, Jaime Aguirre, Maritza Wong and husband Darryl and Javier Aguirre, MD, and wife Robyn. The great-grandchildren are Averie, Micah and Dryden Garcia; Dillon, Dash, Daven and Daniella Diaz; Eric and Amanda Wong; and the youngest Camila Vicenta Aguirre.

In lieu of flowers, the family request that memorials be made in his name to the Alvin Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 715, Alvin, Texas 77512.

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