George G. Samarripa

George grew up in San Antonio, TX. He graduated from Louis W. Fox Vocational and Technical High School in San Antonio, TX on May 18, 1966. After high school, he:

• joined the United States Marine Corp in 1966 and served for 20 years. He served in the Vietnam War and was

the recipient of the National Defense Service Medal; Good Conduct Medal; Vietnamese Service Medal w/3*;

Vietnamese Campaign Medal w/device; Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry w/palm; Navy Commendation Medal w/V;

Combat Action Ribbon; Navy Achievement Medal w/V; Meritorious Unit Commendation; and Meritorious Mast.

He was Honorably Discharged in 1986 achieving the rank of Master Sergeant.

• joined the United States Navy Reserve in 1986 and served for 4 years. He retired in 1992 achieving the rank

of ADCS Senior Chief Aviation Machinist’s Mate.

• attended college at North Lake Community College in Irving, TX where he received a degree in Applied Arts and

Sciences. He, later, became an Instructor of Diesel Mechanics for North Lake Community College.

• worked as a Senior Diesel/Automotive Mechanic; Supervisor for Cummins, Ryder, Kroger, and the United States

Postal Service. During this time, he obtained several career certifications and became an entrepreneur opening

Fleet PM & Consultant Serv. which contracted preventative maintenance services for the trucking industry. After

a long career, he retired in 2003.

George married Guadalupe Torres in 1970 in Grand Prairie, TX. They were happily married for 43 years. George was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church (Grand Prairie, TX), St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church (Grand Prairie, TX), Knights of Columbus Council 3460 (Grand Prairie, TX), St. James Catholic Church (Seguin, TX), and the Knights of Columbus Council 3412 (Seguin, TX). As a Knights of Columbus member, he received 3rd and 4th Degrees. He enjoyed a variety of music, deep sea fishing, dancing, baseball, softball, football, boxing, traveling nationwide and international, camping, automotive/diesel mechanics, restoring hot rods and spending time with his children and grandchildren.

George was preceded in death by his parents, Raul and Maria (Gamez) Samarripa and sister, Mary Helen Dimas.

George is survived by his spouse Guadalupe Torres Samarripa of Seguin, TX; daughter Priscilla S. Garcia (Reynaldo Garcia Jr.) of Lancaster, TX; son George Samarripa Jr. of Arlington, TX; daughter Charlene S. Barraza (Hernan Barraza) of Grand Prairie, TX; sisters Sarah Louise Samarripa of Wichita, KS; Carlota Samarripa Robinson (Jerry Robinson) of Dallas, TX; Juanita Samarripa of San Antonio, TX and Cruz Samarripa of San Antonio, TX; brothers Raul Samarripa Jr. (Josie Samarripa) of Arlington, TX; Robert Samarripa (Andrea Samarripa) of San Antonio, TX; Marshal Samarripa (Dolores Samarripa) of San Antonio, TX and Martin Samarripa of San Antonio, TX; grandchildren, Alexandra Garcia of Lancaster, TX; Laura Garcia of Lancaster, TX; Kristina Garcia of Lancaster, TX; George Thomas Samarripa of Denham Spring, LA; and Ava Barraza of Grand Prairie, TX; and a multitude of extended relatives. Gone but not forgotten.

Services will be held at Sunset Funeral Home, 1701 Austin Highway, San Antonio, Texas 78218. A public visitation will be held at Sunset Funeral Home Chapel on Wednesday, August 28, 2013 (6:00 pm – 9:00 pm) with a rosary to be recited at 7:00 pm. A funeral mass will be held at Sunset Funeral Home Chapel on Thursday, August 29, 2013 at 12:00 pm with burial to follow at Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery.