Deacon Vicente H. Garcia: 1931-2014

Deacon Vicente H. Garcia: 1931-2014

Deacon Vicente H. Garcia, a member of the second Permanent Diaconate Class of the Diocese of Amarillo, passed away April 20. He was 82 years old.

Mass was celebrated April 23, San Jose Church, Monsignor Joe Bixenman, pastor and Monsignor Arturo Meza, pastor, Our Lady of Loreto Church, Silverton, concelebrating. Burial was in St. Anthony’s Cemetery.

Deacon Garcia was born on Aug. 7, 1931 in Victoria, the son of Jesus and Guadalupe Hernandez. He married Maria Jackson on Dec. 29, 1954 in Donna.

Deacon Garcia was ordained to the Permanent Diaconate for the Diocese of Amarillo on Feb. 22, 1981 by then-Bishop Leroy T. Matthiesen.

Survivors include his wife, Maria Garcia; four daughters, Delia Ballejo of Amarillo, Rosa Contreras of Topeka, Mary Jane Castaneda of Bangs and Lorrie Garcia of Hereford; three sons, Vicente Garcia Jr. of Evans, Colo., Ricky Garcia of Albuquerque and George Garcia of Amarillo; three brothers, Elijio Garcia of Hereford, Jesus Garcia Jr. of Lubbock and Ramon Garcia of Porterville, Calif.; five sisters, Concha Garcia, Ramona Nanez, Maria Barrientos, Simona Martinez and Juana Galvan, all of Hereford; 22 grandchildren; and 24 great-grandchildren.