Peter Garcia

Peter Garcia passed away peacefully on May 18, 2025, at the age of 100 years. Peter was born on July 11, 1924, in Kansas City, MO and lived his early life on the west side where he attended Our Lady of Guadalupe Grade School and De La Salle High School.

At the age of 18 he fought in WWII as a member of the U.S. Army Air Corp. 8th Air Force. Peter was stationed in England where he was a top turret gunner and flight engineer on a B-17 bomber. He sustained an injury while he was on a mission and was awarded the Purple Heart. While hospitalized, the plane sustained heavy damage during a mission and half his crew were lost. This and other events he witnessed caused dad to say, “war is hell.”

Peter returned after his tour of duty and rekindled his courtship of our mother Carmen Rodriguez. They were married on May 22, 1948, and 11 children came from this marriage.

Peter attended and graduated from Finlay Engineering College, then worked as an electrical engineer and supervisor for the Bendix Corporation in Kansas City.

Peter was a devout Catholic. He shared and taught his children the Catholic faith. He made sure his kids attended Mass every Sunday, no excuses. He also made sure we attended Saturday evening confessions every week. Carmen and Peter sacrificed much to have their children attend St. Catherine Grade School and Bishop O’Hara High School. His devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe, the patron saint of Mexico was unmatched.

Peter was a fan of the Kansas City Royals and Kansas City Chiefs. He was a Chiefs season ticket holder since their inaugural season in 1966.

He was proud of his children and their accomplishments. Phone calls and visits from his grandchildren and great grandchildren were a source of great pride and happiness.

Peter was preceded in death by his parents Jose and Maria Garcia, his brothers Joseph and Tony Garcia, his sisters Jennie Avila, Rita Wysong and Irene Garcia, his grandson Christopher Garcia and great granddaughter Abby Hanway.

His surviving family includes his wife Carmen, his children Rosanna (David) Caldwell, Christine (Dennis) Russell, Sylvia Langhammer, Phillip Garcia (June), Anthony Garcia (Linda), Monica (Darwin) Brown, Carmela (Steve) Seward, Ramona (Tim) Furlong, Beatrice (Tim) Menke, Rebecca Garcia and Joseph (Kristi) Garcia, his sister Rosemary (Robert) Medina, 21 grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank Dr. Jonathan Finks M.D. and staff.

Contributions can be made to Our Lady of Guadalupe Shrine, 2544 Madison Avenue, Kansas City, MO 64108. Payable to Shrine Capital Campaign Drive.

Peter's visitation will be held from 6-8pm, with a Rosary at 7pm, on Friday, May 23, 2025 at McGilley State Line Chapel, 12301 State Line Road, Kansas City, MO 64145. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10am, Saturday, May 24 at St. Thomas More Catholic Church, 11822 Holmes Road, Kansas City, MO 64131. Burial with military honors will be held after Mass in Mt. Olivet Catholic Cemetery, 7601 Blue Ridge Blvd., Raytown, MO 64138.