Esteban Diaz Garcia

Esteban Diaz Garcia was born March 30, 1928 to Octaviano Garcia and Francisca Diaz in El Rancho La Providencia, Tamaulipas, Mexico. He married his wife of 72 years, Aracelia Gallaga Garcia on September 6, 1947 in Harlingen, Texas where they lived until 1964 before moving to Baytown, Texas. They lived in Baytown from 1964 until 1997, then moved to and remained in La Porte, Texas.

Esteban came to the United States looking for his American dream. He never had the opportunity to attend school because he always worked to provide for his siblings. In Harlingen, he worked for the Swift Cotton Gin Corporation and an ice manufacturing company hauling large blocks of ice for railcar refrigeration. Soon afterwards, he landed employment with Standard Dredging Corporation. That employment brought him to Baytown, where he decided to settle and gained employment with the City of Baytown. At one point, he worked days with the City of Baytown and evenings with Allied Maintenance at the Baytown Exxon Research and Engineering Complex. His work ethic and dedication opened the doors to employment with Exxon Engineering Company as part of the maintenance crew where he was promoted to a supervisor. He retired in 1993 to enjoy his family, gardening, painting and travelling especially to the casinos. He was a strong dedicated family man that always encouraged three main things in life: love and dedication to God, family and education.

He was a life-long member of Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Baytown where he was a member of the Movimiento Familiar Cristiano for several years. He also served in the kitchen ministry several years under Father Efrain, Father Nicolas, and Father Lucio all servants of the church in Baytown. His kitchen group was made up entirely by members of his family.

He is superseded in death by both of his parents, his oldest son Ruperto Garcia, his great-grandson Michael P. Garcia Jr., his brothers Roberto Garza Garcia, Adan Munguia Garcia, Miguel Diaz, Octaviano Diaz Garcia II and sisters Eva Garcia, Rosa Garcia Rea and Amparo Garcia Reyes.

He is survived by his wife Aracelia Gallaga Garcia and his children: Sulema and husband Manuel Contreras; Mia and husband Richard Marron; Gracie and husband Valentin Longoria Sr.; Esteban Garcia Jr. and wife Corina; Bebe and husband Willie Mora Jr.; and daughter-in-law Blanca Delgado Garcia.

He is also survived by his brother Genaro Garcia (wife Paula); and two sisters: Maria Garcia and Celia Garcia Guzman along with numerous nieces and nephews. Ten granddaughters: Connie (Patrick) Land, Angie Garcia, Cynthia (Carlos) Ustoy, Christina (James) Villa, Elizabeth (Juan) Reyna, Rachel (Luis) Macias, Crystal (Lee) Garcia, Valerie Longoria, Kori Garcia and Juliette Mora. Ten grandsons: Michael (Amber) Garcia, Rupert (Cassie) Garcia Jr., Rick Marron, Gabriel Garcia, Valentin Longoria II, Esteban Garcia III, Nicholas, Matthew, David and Luke Mora. Seven great-granddaughters: Mikaela, Sofia and Liliana Ustoy, Camila Reyna, Aubrey Garcia and Alessandra and Carolina Macias scheduled to be born in October. Seven great-grandsons: Jordan and Eric Land, Tiger Garcia, Manuel and Michael Villa, Mason and Jaxon Garcia.

He will be laid to rest following a funeral mass at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church on Wednesday, August 12, 2020. To watch the service live follow the link:

https://vimeo.com/event/222431