Dr. Santiago Garcia III

A devoted husband, father, grandfather, and servant of the Lord, he will be deeply missed by all who loved and knew him.

Jimmy was born to the late Santiago and Delia (Pachecano) Garcia on July 17,1949, in San Antonio, Texas. The son of a faithful Baptist pastor, his parents planted a solid spiritual foundation for him and his siblings.

Jimmy met his beloved wife, Dolores Garcia, at church in San Angelo, Texas, in 1969. They were married for 54 years and have three wonderful children, Laura, Matthew, and Anna; seven beautiful grandchildren; and a precious great-grandchild. “I am proud of you for being you,” Jimmy would always tell his children. He loved them unconditionally and appreciated each of their unique talents, gifts, and callings in life.Following in his father’s footsteps, Jimmy faithfully served the Lord his entire life. His life was a firm testimony of faithfulness, humility, kindness, and constant love for God and His people. He was licensed to preach by First Baptist Church in Del Rio in 1967 and ordained to the Gospel ministry by First Baptist Church of Miles in 1971.

He graduated from Howard Payne University in 1971 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Bible and Psychology. He went on to earn his Master of Divinity degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and completed further graduate studies at Baylor University’s George W. Truett Theological Seminary. He received his honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from Howard Payne University in 2001.

For 18 years, he was the Director of Ethnic Missions for the Baptist General Convention of Texas, investing in churches, pastors and leaders across the state.

Throughout his ministry, he served as pastor at Primera Iglesia Bautista of Dallas, Calvario Baptist Church of Fort Worth, Calvario Baptist Church of Corsicana, and Immanuel Baptist Church of Miles.

Additional ministry-related positions included serving as Director of Missions of the Del Rio-Uvalde Baptist Association and Associate Director of Missions for the San Antonio Baptist Association.

He served as a board member for the Institutional Coordinating Board of the Baptist General Convention of Texas. Additionally with the Baptist General Convention of Texas, he was a member of the Intentional Interim Ministry and Baptist Distinctive Counsel. He also served as chair of the nominating committee for the Hispanic Baptist Convention of Texas.

A lifelong-learner and strong believer in the power of education, in retirement Dr. Garcia proudly served as an adjunct instructor at both Dallas Baptist University and Mountain View College. At Dallas Baptist University, he taught within the College of Christian Faith and, at Mountain View College, he taught ESL courses.

Throughout his life, he lectured at Truett Theological Seminary and Baptist University of the Americas. He also served on the board of directors for Baptist University of the Americas and Valley Baptist Academy.

In 2018 he was honored by Howard Payne University with the Dr. Jose Rivas Distinguished Service Award in recognition of his faithful service.

He retired from vocational ministry in 2016, but he continued to teach Sunday school and chaired the Missions Committee at First Baptist Church of Duncanville for many years.

Jimmy’s legacy of faith will extend far beyond his years of service here on Earth. He lives on through his family — his greatest pride and joy.Throughout their years together, Dolores and Jimmy’s commitment and love stood firm by God's grace and mercy. He loved her deeply, and their marriage was a reflection of Christ's faithfulness. Together, their faith was lived out in their home and that faith will now multiply through the existing and future generations of their family.

Jimmy will be lovingly remembered by his devoted wife, Dolores Garcia; their three children Laura (Ken) Gilliam, Matthew (Lisa) Garcia, and Anna (Jose) Rullan-Garcia; their seven grandchildren Kayla (Eric) Navarro, Andrew and Brenden Gilliam, Elias and Gael Rullan-Garcia, and Addison and Grayson Garcia, who all fondly and affectionately referred to their grandfather as “Pa”; and their great-grandchild, Kinsley Navarro.

Jimmy will also be lovingly remembered by his siblings Daniel (Mary Francis) Garcia, Elisabet Garcia, Noé (Cheryl) Garcia, Febe (Jose) Sauseda, Orpha Garcia, and Tim (Carol) Garcia, and numerous nieces and nephews.

His gentle guidance and Godly wisdom touched many lives. While there will be a void where his laughter and warm, lighthearted sense of humor once filled the room, the impact of his faithful prayers will continue to be felt by those he loved. Baylor University’s football team and Dallas Baptist University’s baseball team now have a special angel on their side. His was a life well-lived.

Jimmy is now reunited with his parents, Santiago and Delia Garcia. While he will be deeply missed, his family and all who knew him trust he entered Heaven hearing the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

All are invited to worship God and celebrate the life of Rev. Santiago Garcia III.

In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that memorial contributions be made to the scholarship fund Jimmy and his siblings started at Howard Payne University for their parents, Santiago and Delia Garcia, to honor their legacies.

Please use the following link to give and indicate that you would like to donate to the Santiago & Delia Garcia Scholarship Fund.

https://www.hputx.edu/giving/

Visitation will be held at Laurel Land Funeral Home, 6300 South R.L., Dallas, TX 75232, US, on March 4, 2026, from 9:00 am to 10:00 am. The Funeral Service will take place at Laurel Land Funeral Home, 6300 South R.L., Dallas, TX 75232, US, on March 4, 2026, from 10:00 am to 11:00 am.

Comital will be held at Laurel Land Funeral Home, 6300 South R.L., Dallas, TX 75232, US, on March 4, 2026, from 12:00 pm to 12:30 pm.