Obituary of Judge Dario Garcia

Dario Rigoberto Garcia McAllen - Our Dad, Honorable Judge Dario Rigoberto Garcia Sr. passed away peacefully at the age of 95, he was born at El Brazil Ranch in Starr County on January 4, 1920 to parents Eusebio Garcia and Antonia Saenz Garcia. He is preceded in death by his parents, his wife of 55 years Laurentina Cortez and siblings, Victorino, Rafael Garcia, Estella Hinojosa and Arnulfa Menchaca,. Survived by his children Dario Jr. (Janie), Hector (Maria Antonia), Xavier (Janie) Garcia and Laura (Guillermo) O'Connor. His grandchildren Dario Garcia (Karen) III, Dora (Ruben) Castro, Xavier Hector (Daniel) Garcia, Denise (Edward) Wylie, Xavier Garcia (Amy), Roberto (Felicia) Garcia, Sean (Starla), Kevin (Lindsey) and Liam (Alina) O'Connor, Kathryn Williams, great grand children Lauren and Lindsey Castro, Taylor Wylie, Dylan, Zoe Garcia, Kael, Kollin, Shae O'Connor, and great great granddaughter Abigail Marie Pena, plus numerous nephews and nieces. At the age of 14 dad's family moved to McAllen; attended McAllen public schools and graduated from McAllen High School in 1940. Our dad served as Justice of the Peace for Hidalgo County from 1965-1985. Prior to being elected Justice of the Peace, he worked with H & H Coffee Company for 17 years, Boggus Ford and Clark Chevrolet as a salesman. Dad played with Mecca Café, in Reynosa 30-30 Mission Rifles, McAllen Palms, Donna Cardinals all semi-pro teams in the 40' and 50's. His love of baseball continued with him coaching young kids, including his sons and establishing the Southern Little League Association of McAllen. Dad's served 50 years of public service including being a McAllen School Board Member, being elected Vice-President and Secretary during his nine-year tenure. While on the school he was instrumental with helping non-professional employees become members of the Texas Teacher Retirement System, also naming new elementary schools after Hispanic Texas Heroes. He also served on the airport Advisory Board and Board of Equalization and various state and Criminal Justice councils. He actively participated in fund-raising activities for charitable organizations such as the Easter Seals Society for crippled children and adults and the McAllen Ex-Students Association. Having served the latter organization as President and director during his tenure. Other organizations which dad proudly supported and served in a position of leadership were the Rio Grande Valley Boys Scout Council and Parent Teacher Organizations for schools his children attended. He also held memberships in the Elks Club, Kiwanis Club of McAllen and the Mission-McAllen Beef Syndicate and the "Tripa Club". He also served on the financial committee for El Divino Redentor Methodist Church, and currently is a member of First United Methodist Church. The family would like to acknowledge and express a Special "Thank you" to Compassionate Hospice Care for the wonderful care they provided for our dad in this time of need and loving kindness to our entire family. His grandsons will have the honor to serve as pallbearers, Dario Garcia III, Hector, Xavier and Roberto Garcia, Sean, Kevin and Liam O'Connor. Honorary pallbearers are Ruben Castro, Edward Wylie and Daniel Odem. Dad you have been the source of our strength, our mentor and the greatest influence in our lives, we will always look up to you with pride, and you will be forever missed. WE love you. Visitation will be from 5pm to 9pm with a 7pm prayer service Sunday, July 26, 2015, at Legacy Chapels 4610 South Jackson Rd in Edinburg. Chapel service will be at 10am Monday, July 27, 2015, at Legacy. Interment will follow at Valley Memorial Gardens Cemetery in McAllen. In lieu of flowers, family request you make donations to Hospice of the Valley at hov.org Funeral services are under the direction of Legacy Chapels in Edinburg.