Joel A. Garcia

On Sunday, August 7th 2022, Joel A. Garcia Jr passed away at the age of 71, with his loving family by his side. Joel was born on July 10, 1951 in Corpus Christi, Texas to Joel and Amelia (Ayala) Garcia. While in Fort Worth, Texas, he pursued his associate’s degree and began working at JPS Hospital as an LVN. Upon moving back to Corpus Christi, Texas, he became a firefighter for CCFD, where he proudly served for 15 years until medically retiring in 1997. He loved being a firefighter and had a proud collection of memorabilia and fire trucks that he kept throughout his life. While working in the fire department, he continued in his pursuit of helping others and became an RN, working at Memorial Hospital, Riverside Hospital, Driscoll Children’s Hospital, and Spohn South Hospital for many years. Him and his wife, Maria Garcia, eventually opened a licensed residential care home called JMJ Assisted Living, where they helped numerous families throughout the years care for their loved ones. The most important work they did was be by the side of patients during their last moments on Earth, letting them know that they were not alone. His compassion, patience, and selflessness made him perfect for the careers he chose and his patients, family, and friends were all the better for it.

Outside of work, Joel loved making ceramic figures and taking the time to sculpt and paint them. He was an avid fan of UFC and MMA fighting and loved to cheer on his grandchildren during their own matches. He was a connoisseur of sweets and was the pineapple-upside-down-cake baking champion. Above all else, he was the biggest supporter of his family in all they did, from soccer games, to graduations, to piano recitals, and everything in between, he was there cheering them on. He loved his family more than anything and would do whatever he could to be there for them.

There are so many things about him that will be missed. For his family, we will miss hearing his laugh and his voice; we will miss being greeted with a wide smile and a big bear hug; we will miss hearing his stories (ghost stories being his favorite); we will miss his sense of humor and his “nombre shut up”; we will miss reminiscing with him on memories past; but most of all we will miss all the times ahead without him by our side. We were all the better for knowing him and his absence will be forever felt.

He was preceded in death by his parents Mr. and Mrs. Joel Garcia Sr., his brother Jimmy Ayala, his grandparents Mr. and Mrs. Amador Arredondo and Mr. and Mrs. Gregorio Ayala, and his stepson Rolando Saenz. He is survived by his wife, Maria Garcia, his daughter Johanna Jewell Garcia, his stepchildren, his grandchildren, his sisters Patricia G Vargas (Jose Luis), Mary Ester Garcia, Naomi Garcia (Jesse), and his brothers Sylvester Garcia (Eva), Sam Garcia (Cynthia), John Garcia (Sharon), Robert A Garcia (LaVerne), and Gregorio M. Garcia (Linda). Pallbearers: Frank G. Vargas, Jose Luis Vargas Jr., Roman Vargas, Michael Vargas, Ruben Saenz, Roger Saenz, George Smithwick.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.MemoryGardensFuneralHome.com for the Garcia family.