At 19 years of age, he told his parents he was enlisting in the Navy, not knowing where it would lead, as he was trying to make a better life for himself. In the Navy, he had the opportunity to travel to different parts of the ocean, getting the opportunity to cross the equator; these were the stories and his adventures that he told us. His last known duty assignment was under the USS D.A. Munro DE 422. As a cook through military contracts, preparing food at different bases, he also had the opportunity to live in California & Washington, D.C.
Eventually moving back to Brownsville, Tx, he worked as a crane operator at Andy International and ESCO marines under CEO Richard Jaross, dismantling U.S. Naval ships for recycling. This became one of his biggest passions as he worked in the Port of Brownsville, Tx. He also traveled to different locations in the United States, wherever these companies set up a site, that is where our dad would go several months out of the year. This included sights in Wilmington N. Carolina, and Connecticut.
In his spare time, he enjoyed outings, dancing, and spending time with friends and family. He enjoyed feeding hummingbirds, making sure they always had their nectar to eat. He enjoyed fishing at the mouth of the river and Boca Chica beach, long weekends with the family camping in their travel trailer, and just enjoying the outdoors. If dad wanted to relax, he enjoyed gardening at whatever time of day/night with Tina and was known to have a green thumb. He could make any plant grow from a small cutting.
By friends and family, our dad will always be remembered as being the nicest, kindest, most generous person you could ever know. If you needed help with anything, he would help you in a split second and never expect anything in return.
He will also be remembered as the best dad and grandpa, as he always provided for us and just wanted to make us all happy. He had a soft spot for the grandkids as they were his pride and joy. Always looking forward to the blessing and prayers Reynaldo did for him.
Dad, we love you, and we will truly miss you. Thank you for everything. Forever in our hearts.
He is survived by his wife, Ernestina "Tina" Zamarripa Garcia, his daughters, Pamela Garcia Chapa (Arturo Chapa Jr.) and Connie Garcia Rendon (Hector Rendon), and his son, Roberto Garcia Jr. (Norma Salinas Garcia). He is also survived by his sister, Josefa Brown, and his brothers, Aurelio Garcia, Raul Garcia, and Reynaldo Garcia.
His grandchildren include Jacquelin Chapa, Hector Rendon (Jolene Rendon), Oscar Rodriguez, Roberto "Bobby" Garcia III (Yomaira Salazar), and Hope Tiffany Garcia. His great-grandchildren are Roberto Garcia IV, Reynaldo Garcia, Emma Grace Garcia, Brielle Rendon, Blaire Rendon, and Julissa Rendon.
Roberto Flores Garcia was preceded in death by his father, Aurelio Garcia; his mother, Concepcion Flores Garcia; his brother, Jose Angel Garcia; and his sisters, Socorro Garza and Carmen Salazar.
The family would like to thank Dr Gonzales, nurses, and staff at the Harlingen, Tx. Veterans Administration, Dr. Rosas, Dr. Fadi Altayoumi, and Bluebonnet| Home Health - David Rosales, for all the attentive care provided for our dad.
We would also like to thank Richard Jaross. Our gratitude for the memorable 40 years of patronage, friendship, unwavering support, and opportunities. provided for our dad. Those were his fondest memories, which he always talked about.
A visitation will be held at Funeraria del Angel Buena Vista, located at 125 McDavitt Blvd, Brownsville, Texas, on January 12, 2026, from 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm, with a rosary at 7:00 pm. A chapel service will take place at the same venue on January 13, 2026, at 10:30 am. Burial will follow at Rio Grande Valley State Veterans Cemetery, 2520 Inspiration Rd, Mission, Texas, at 1:00 pm.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to any of the following.
fisherhouseinc.org
patriotpaws.org
woundedwarriorproject.org
