Salvador Rene Garcia

He is preceded in death by his mother, Oralia V. Garcia and daughter Rebecca Renee Garcia, and survived by his wife Hoang Ha Pham-Garcia, father Salvador Mario Garcia, Brother Mario J Garcia and wife Virginia, Sister Martha Montemayor and husband Augustin, and numerous nephews and nieces.

Salvador was born on October 25, 1954 in Monclova, Coahuila Mexico, he grew up in San Antonio Texas. In spite of his vision disability, several years after graduating from high school Sal earned his Bachelors of Arts degree from Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio, Texas.

He moved to Austin 12 years ago and began working for Texas Commission for the Blind where he was a Career Guidance Instructor. Although he was not quite ready to do so, Sal retired from TCB in May 2012 for health reasons.

While working at TCB he met Ha, she was a student going through the programs. They married on August 3 2003. The family rejoiced at the union between Sal and Ha; we could not have been happier for Ha and Sal. Sal and Ha have been dedicated to each other, their joint efforts made everyday tasks more manageable. Sal and Ha traveled to Vietnam several times. Sal embraced the Vietnamese culture and truly enjoyed the visits with Ha's family. His life has been enriched since he met Ha, his mother would always remind Sal that "you won the lottery with Ha".

Sal's interest included a keen fascination with all sorts of electronics and computers, he enjoyed traveling and listening to music, especially mariachi and ranchero music.

Salvador endured medical issues for the last 24 years, since the time that he received a kidney transplant. His friendly and happy personality often hid a strong character and was not one to complain but to accept his condition, even during his last days when one could ask how you are and he would always say "I feel okay" or "I feel better than 10 minutes ago". It was hard for him to accept the news from the doctor that his time on earth was getting shorter and shorter, yet he was still his joyful and playful self with hospital staff , friends, co-workers, family and anyone that he come in contact with. He has always had that gift not to dwell on the downside but instead enjoy the upside and the moment he was sharing.

Salvador was admitted to Seton Hospital on October 24 one day before his 58th birthday. On his birthday nurses from the 7th floor came to his room to sing "Happy Birthday" to him, he was delighted and very emotional by the attention. Ha brought cupcakes for the nurses to enjoy. He struggled for the next three weeks hoping and praying he could bounce back like he had done on so many other occasions, but he could not. On November 8th with saddened heart he accepted that his journey was ending.

The family will receive friends from 3:00 to 5:30 p.m. with a Rosary following at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, November 13, 2012 at Weed-Corley-Fish Chapel.

Special thanks to all who have shared his life.