 |
In
Memory
of
Santiago
Garcia |
|
Santiago
“Chago”
Garcia
was
born
on
January
3,
1941in
La
Villa,
Texas
to
Jose
T.
Garcia
and
Ignacia
Velasquez.
Chago
attended
and
completed
his
elementary
education
in
La
Villa.
His
first
two
years
of
High
School
were
completed
at
Santa
Rosa
High
School,
his
family
at
that
time
moved
to
the
city
of
Edcouch,
Texas.
Due
to
financial
hardships
he
postponed
high
school;
he
devoted
his
efforts
to
help
his
family’s
monetary
difficulties.
While
working
to
help
support
his
family
he
quickly
learned
the
value
of
an
education.
He
simultaneous
labored
and
attained
his
General
Equivalency
Degree
at
Edcouch-Elsa
in
his
quest
to
further
his
education.
Realizing
that
an
education
was
a
key
to
success,
Santiago
pursued
a
degree
at
Texas
A&I
Kingsville,
he
later
received
a
degree
in
construction
Equipment
Mechanics
from
Texas
State
Technical
Institute.
As
one
of
the
top
graduates
of
his
class
he
was
offered
a
job
as
a
supervisor
with
an
avionic
company,
manufacturing
helicopter
engines.
That
company
later
received
a
military
contract
and
moved
out
of
the
country.
Always
keeping
his
family
interest
in
mind,
he
decided
not
to
make
the
move.
He
obtained
employment
with
Edcouch-Elsa
ISD,
where
he
worked
in
different
capacities
before
earning
the
Director
of
Maintenance
position.
He
worked
for
the
school
district
for
24
years
and
devoted
a
major
part
of
his
life
to
his
profession.
Facilitating
and
ensuring
the
addition
of
a
new
school
in
Edcouch
became
one
of
his
many
goals
in
the
community.
He
loved
his
job
and
did
it
to
the
best
of
his
ability.
Chago
was
also
elected
as
a
City
of
Edcouch
Alderman
and
Mayor
Pro-Temp.
He
committed
much
of
his
time
and
energy
to
bring
programs,
projects,
and
soliciting
money
from
county,
state,
and
federal
agencies
to
help
enhance
the
community
of
Edcouch.
His
primary
goal
for
the
city
was
to
improve
the
city’s
infrastructure.
During
his
tenure,
the
first
phase
of
paving
city
streets
was
completed.
Furthermore,
he
worked
to
bring
community
awareness
to
everyone
that
resided
within
the
city.
He
served
five
terms
and
continued
to
serve
the
community
long
after
his
terms
were
completed.
In
addition
to
this
dedication
and
commitment
to
the
city
and
school
systems,
his
giving
heart
was
not
fulfilled
until
he
found
his
calling
in
his
religious
belief.
His
best
attributes
were
displayed
by
his
actions
as
he
dedicated
a
huge
portion
of
his
time
to
the
St.
Theresa.
As
a
devoted
parishioner,
he
was
involved
in
several
ministries
at
St.
Theresa
Catholic
Church
of
Edcouch.
He
and
his
wife,
Lupita,
were
strong
advocates
of
the
sacrament
of
matrimony
and
family
life
with
the
Movimiento
Familiar
Cristiano
throughout
the
Brownsville
Diocese.
A
man
known
for
his
actions,
he
volunteered
his
time
to
help
with
baptismal
retreats,
Marriage
Encounters,
and
as
an
Extraordinary
Minister
of
Holy
Communion.
He
was
on
his
last
year
of
completing
his
quest
to
become
a
deacon,
when
he
became
ill.
Spreading
the
word
of
God
was
the
most
fulfilling
aspect
of
his
life.
He
was
married
to
Lupita
O.
Garcia
for
41
years
and
had
five
children.
After
an
extended
illness,
with
Leukemia,
he
passed
away
on
March
25,
2001,
surrounded
by
his
beloved
family.
Santiago’s
Philosophy
in
life
was
“achieve
your
goals
and
serve
God
by
helping
those
in
need.”
---
The
Garcia
Family
---
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