Julian Dubuque Garcia

He was born on October 18, 1932 to Madelon and Rodrigo Garcia in Galveston, TX. Julian was always so proud to say that he was born and raised in Galveston, as he would say “I’m a BOI…born on the island”. One of his last statements was, "I love that place; my God, I love that place!”

He graduated from Ball HS in June 1950 and got a job as meter reader and then as Electric Power Consultant with HL&P. He then joined the Air Force on Jan 15, 1953 working on the biggest bomber ever made…the B36 and was honorably discharged on Jan 14, 1957. While in the military, he was stationed in San Antonio at Lackland AFB, Biloxi, Mississippi at Keesler AFB and Fort Worth, Carswell AFB. During his time in the Air Force, he married Sue Ann Willett, whom he credited as the person that made it possible for him to be where he ended up later in life. Immediately after being discharged, he started working at Convair Aircraft in Research & Development. While still working full time, he enrolled at Arlington State University School of Architecture in Fort Worth. He then transferred to Arlington State University in Hurst, TX and graduated in 1960. Julian then moved to a position with Convair Aircraft in Hurst in the Technical Illustration Department. He enrolled at Texas Tech University School of Architecture in the fall of 1960 and was able to get a job with Stiles, Roberts & Messersmith, Architects while in school. Julian graduated on May 30, 1964 with a BA in Architecture from Texas Tech. He was President of the Houston Hispanic Architects & Engineers and President of the Exchange Club of Houston. He established his own architectural firms: Cole & Garcia, Architects (Houston), Garcia Valentine Associates in Architecture (Houston) and Valentine Garcia Associates in Architecture (Corpus Christi). His greatest pride during those years were the three high-rise condos that he and Tommy Valentine built on Mustang Island…The Seagull, The Sandpiper and The Dunes. HISD offered him a position in the Project Renewal program which he accepted as Assistant Superintendent/New School Construction from 09/1990-09/2000. During this time, he met and later married Loretta. They purchased a home in Deer Park in 1998 and were married in that home the same year. In Sept. 2000 he interviewed for PISD’s Bond Management program and received the position of Associate Superintendent/Facilities and Construction. He planned to work for a couple of years, but he enjoyed his job and the people that he worked with so much that he ended up staying for 10 years. He talked of retirement so many times, but never followed through with it, so the staff presented him with a Brett Favre jersey, comparing Julian to the NFL quarterback who would not give up the game. He finally retired on December 31, 2010 at the age of 77. Julian was not happy just sitting at home, so he formed JDG Associates after retirement and did consulting services for PISD’s Bond Program. At the age of 82, he finally retired for good on January 1, 2015.

Julian’s main hobby was his 1977 Porsche. He also loved reading, tinkering in his Texas Tech themed garage, and creating art of anything he saw. Julian also collected eagle sculptures and was very proud to fly his American flag in his front yard. Julian and Loretta enjoyed traveling to many beautiful places after they married. He was such a loving, caring, and devoted husband to Loretta; he once surprised her with a plaque that said, “I can’t promise that I’ll be here for the rest of your life…but I can promise that I’ll LOVE you for the rest of mine.”

He is proceeded in death by his beloved parents Rodrigo and Madelon Garcia.

Julian will be deeply missed by his wife of 22 years Loretta, stepson Michael Robinson (Roxanne) and stepdaughter Diane Gutierrez (Chris Romero). He had six grandchildren Richard, Ryan, Olivia, Ava, Levi, Gabriel and two great-grandchildren Jayden and Emmett. He is also survived by his stepchildren from a prior marriage, Lisa Regan and Glen Rutherford.

For those wishing to make memorial donations, they can be sent in Julian’s name to The 100 Club of Houston and to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Visitation will be held Wednesday, May 5 from 9:00am-11:00am with a Celebration of Julian’s life starting at 11:00 in the Chapel of Forest Park East Funeral Home. Immediately following, he will be laid to rest at Mount Olivet Cemetery.