Manuel Garza Garcia

Manuel Garza Garcia, born May 1, 1919 in Nixon, TX to Blas and Maria (Garza) Garcia, died in God’s grace on March 14, 2013 in Garden Grove, California. Funeral services will be 1:00p.m., Friday, March 22, 2013 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, with Father Robert Bush officiating. Burial will follow in Elmwood Memorial Park under the direction of Elliott-Hamil Funeral Home, 542 Hickory St., Abilene, TX. A rosary will be held at 7:00p.m., Thursday evening at the funeral home, 542 Hickory St.

He lived in Colorado City, TX for numerous years prior to moving to Abilene, TX. For the past 6 years, Manuel Garcia lived in California with his daughter Angie Mallon. A carpenter by trade, he had been the sole survivor in a family that included six siblings; Eliza, Liborio, Moises, Andres, Cristela, and Pedro.

Family and friends were fond of his friendliness and good humor. Manuel was most proud of being able to trace his roots to an ancestor who came on a boatload from Spain as an explorer in the late 1500’s. His ancestor ended up marrying a Native American from the Caddo tribe – who some called the Tejas tribe because of their friendliness. Subsequently, some of his ancestors were witnesses to Texas history.

His wife, Angelina Paredes, precedes Manuel Garcia in death. They had seven children – three sons and 4 daughters. The daughters are: Linda (Joe) Moreno of Abilene, TX; Angelina (John) Mallon of Garden Grove, CA: Lydia (Anastacio) Fernandez of Abilene; and Dr. Yvonne (Adrian) Rodriguez of Plano, TX. The sons are: Daniel Garcia from Abilene; David (Janie) Garcia from Colorado City, TX; Manuel (Cathy) Garcia from Hutchins, TX. He is also survived by 14 grandchildren and 29 great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the charity of your choice.