Manuel Zamora Garcia

Manuel Zamora Garcia, 73, of Houston, Texas went to be with the Lord on Thursday, September 20, 2018. He was born in Gregory, Texas (San Patricio County) on February 3, 1945. He attended Gregory-Portland High School and graduated in 1966. After graduation, Manuel enlisted in the United States Army in 1966, attended boot camp in Fort Hood, Texas, was assigned to CoB 2nd Battalion 52nd Infantry 1st Armd Division in Fort Hood (4th Unites States Army), and sent to Vietnam. He served his country proudly until 1968. Some of the medals, campaign ribbons, badges, and accomplishments were: Vietnam Service Medal with three Bronze Service Stars, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, 1st Class Gunner (81 MM Mortar), Sharpshooter (Rifle), and Marksman (Pistol). He was so trained as a USATC Armor Infantry Fire Crewman.

After serving our country, he came to live in Pasadena, Texas, where he met his wife Irma Flores. Manuel worked for the City of Pasadena from 1968 to 1975 as a pipefitter. He then worked as an operator for Arco/Lyondell Basell from 1975 to 2000. He retired after 25 years to help his wife run their restaurant business “De Pasadita” on Clinton Drive in Galena Park, Texas.

Later, He became a member of the American Legion Post 0490 in South Houston. Amongst his passions were things like plumbing, lawn care, sharing with others about his days in the United States Army, going to the casino for fun, drinking his coffee with three sugars each morning, reading the newspaper, watching cowboy movies and WWE wrestling on Monday and Tuesday nights, collecting rare coins and $2 bills, and taking care of his wife and children.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Mauricio Garcia and Eufamia Zamora; siblings, Matilde Padilla, Espridion Garcia, Carmelita Garcia, and Victor Garcia; his son, Juan Manuel Garcia. Manuel was survived by his loving and faithful wife Irma Flores Garcia of 43 years; his children, Francis Gomez, Carmela Garcia, Robert Garcia, Gloria Garcia, Alicia Hernandez, Derek S. Garcia, and Manley L. Garcia; his grandchildren, Ezequiel Gomez, Pricilla Garcia, Karina Garcia, Rosemary Garcia, Sebastian Garcia, and Fernando Garcia; his siblings, Santos Garcia, Jose Garcia, Mauricio Garcia, Jr.; along with numerous nieces and nephews.

Family and friends are invited to a visitation with the family on Wednesday, September 26, 2018, from 4:30pm until 8:00pm at American Heritage Funeral Home, 10710 Veterans Memorial Drive, Houston, Texas 77038. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, September 27, 2018 at 10:00am in the chapel of American Heritage Funeral Home. Committal Ceremony will follow at 11:30am at Houston National Cemetery, 10410 Veterans Memorial Drive, Houston, Texas 77038.

The one word that described Manuel was “Honorable” in every sense of the word. He honored his parents, family, friends, his upper authorities throughout his career in the United States Army and civilian life. He was a man of his word.