Manuel Garcia

Born on June 23, 1926, in Leon, Guanajuato, Mexico, Manuel Garcia was raised by his mother, Juana Garcia. As a teenager, his mother sent him to live in a monastery to ensure he chose a good path in life. There, he learned tailoring from the monks and developed a deeper appreciation for music and a love for God. Manuel was a devoted son who enjoyed swimming, singing, and working at an early age.

He and his mother later moved to Ciudad Juarez, where he worked at several restaurants. In 1954, while working at one of these restaurants, he met the love of his life, Maria Esther Magdalena. He began courting Esther and took in her daughter, Maria De La Luz Rivera, who was then four years old. Manuel vowed to love Maria as his own and lovingly stated that he knew their family would grow. They lived together for two years and, in 1956, exchanged vows and wed in front of God.

In 1960, Manuel moved to El Paso, where he initially worked as a waiter and later as a bartender at the Fort Bliss Officer’s Club, Gillespie Empire Club, and Vista Hills Country Club, from which he ultimately retired. Throughout his career, he was respected and loved by everyone he worked with.

In 1964, Manuel purchased their first home, where he lived with "su vida" and raised his daughter Maria. Maria blessed Manuel with two grandchildren, who were also raised in this home and taken to the newly built Cristo Rey parish. Manuel and Esther took their grandchildren to mass, encouraging them to join the children's choir and catechism. They hoped this would help the kids develop a close relationship with God, just as they had. Even though Manuel couldn’t attend church every week because of his demanding job, he made sure his grandchildren had money for their walk to church and for a snack afterward.

Once retired, Manuel started another journey with Esther at his parish at Cristo Rey, where they tirelessly volunteered to sell tickets for the annual church bazaar, counted weekly donations, and participated in the ministries of evangelization and Guadalupanas. During COVID, the volunteering stopped, and Manuel began to enjoy the remainder of his 99 years in the company of his "Esthercita," his children Maria and Willie, his grandchildren Isela and Jose, his great-grandchildren Sarah, Alfonso and Gulee, Leah, Alexa and Emilio, Syndey, and Journey and his great-great-grandchildren Ethan, Emma, Jackson, and Vanessa. Manuel was the HEART of his family. He lived a full, spiritual, and happy life and left this physical world for his next journey, accompanied by his loved ones at his side.

Manuel will not be remembered for where he worked or what he did, but for who he was. He loved his family with all his heart. He was a true gentleman, strong but kind. He valued hard work and staying true to one's word. He had a deep appreciation for nature and music, and above all, he was guided by God. He will be remembered as a great man who walked his life like "an angel on earth." This was Manuel Garcia.

Nacido el 23 de junio de 1926 en León, Guanajuato, México, Manuel García fue criado por su madre, Juana García. Cuando era adolescente, su madre lo envió a vivir a un monasterio para asegurarse de que eligiera un buen camino en la vida. Allí, aprendió sastrería de los monjes y desarrolló un aprecio más profundo por la música y un amor a Dios. Manuel era un hijo devoto que disfrutaba nadando, cantando y trabajando a una edad temprana. Más tarde, él y su madre se mudaron a Ciudad Juárez, donde trabajó en varios restaurantes. En 1954, mientras trabajaba en uno de estos restaurantes, conoció al amor de su vida, María Esther Magdalena. Comenzó a cortejar a Esther y acogió a su hija, María De La Luz Rivera, que entonces tenía cuatro años. Manuel juró amar a María como si fuera suya y declaró amorosamente que sabía que su familia crecería. Vivieron juntos durante dos años y, en 1956, intercambiaron votos y se casaron frente a Dios.

En 1960, Manuel se mudó a El Paso, donde inicialmente trabajó como mesero y luego como cantinero en el Fort Bliss Officer's Club, Gillespie Empire Club y Vista Hills Country Club, de los cuales finalmente se retiró. A lo largo de su carrera, fue respetado y querido por todas las personas con las que trabajó.

En 1964, Manuel compró su primera casa, donde vivió con "su vida" y crió a su hija María. María bendijo a Manuel con dos nietos, quienes también fueron criados en este hogar y llevados a la recién construida parroquia de Cristo Rey. Manuel y Esther llevaron a sus nietos a misa, animándolos a unirse al coro de niños y al catecismo. Esperaban que esto ayudara a los niños a desarrollar una relación cercana con Dios, tal como ellos lo habían hecho. A pesar de que Manuel no podía asistir a la iglesia todas las semanas debido a su exigente trabajo, se aseguraba de que sus nietos tuvieran dinero para caminar a la iglesia y para un refresco después.

Una vez jubilado, Manuel comenzó otro viaje con Esther en su parroquia de Cristo Rey, donde se ofrecieron incansablemente para vender boletos para el kermes anual de la iglesia, contaron las donaciones semanales y participaron en los ministerios de evangelización y Guadalupanas. Durante el COVID, el voluntariado se detuvo y Manuel comenzó a disfrutar el resto de sus 99 años en compañía de su "Esthercita", sus hijos María y Willie, sus nietos Isela y José, sus bisnietos Sarah, Alfonso y Gulee, Leah, Alexa y Emilio, Syndey y Journey y sus tataranietos Ethan, Emma, Jackson y Vanessa. Manuel era el corazón de su familia. Vivió una vida plena, espiritual, y feliz y dejó este mundo físico para su próximo viaje, acompañado de sus seres queridos a su lado. Manuel no será recordado por dónde trabajó ni por lo que hizo, sino por lo que fue. Amaba a su familia con todo su corazón. Era un verdadero caballero, fuerte pero amable. Valoraba el trabajo duro y mantenerse fiel a la palabra de uno. Tenía un profundo aprecio por la naturaleza y la música, y sobre todo, era guiado por Dios. Será recordado como un gran hombre que caminó su vida como "un ángel en la tierra".

At the family's request, please wear any color other than black to the services in remembrance of all the light and joy Manuel brought to those who knew him. Thank you.

A visitation for Manuel will be held Thursday, June 26, 2025 from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM at Hillcrest Funeral Home, 1060 North Carolina Dr., El Paso, Texas 79915. A rosary will occur Thursday, June 26, 2025 at 7:00 PM, 1060 North Carolina Dr., El Paso, Texas 79915. A funeral mass will occur Friday, June 27, 2025 at 9:30 AM at Cristo Rey Catholic Church, 8011 Williamette Ave, El Paso, Texas 79907. A graveside service will occur Friday, June 27, 2025 at 11:30 AM at Evergreen Cemetery East, 12400 East Montana, El Paso, Texas 79938.