Antonio Garcia

ANTONIO GARCIA 

June 13, 1932 – July 1, 2024

 Antonio Garcia, known affectionally as Tony, a beloved husband, father, grandpa “abuelito”, brother, and friend, peacefully went to meet his Lord and Savior on July 1, 2024. Antonio was a God fearing, hard-working man who cherished his family and loved his Roswell community. He will be deeply missed by his family and all those who knew him. Antonio was born on June 13, 1932, to his father, Sebastian Garcia Venegas, and his mother, Antonia Leos, in Sierra Mojada, Coahuila, Mexico. At the age of 15, Antonio took advantage of a USA migrant work program with Mexican residents that allowed them entry for seasonal farm work in Texas. Being the “go getter” that he was, Antonio lied about his age so that he could be one of the chosen for work. After several years of going back and forth from Mexico to Texas, in 1955 he met the love of his life, Corina Pena. It was love at first sight for the two of them. Corina’s mother Consuelo Pena, had a small restaurant in Lubbock, Texas that Antonio and his coworkers would frequent. Corina worked in the family restaurant with their mother and Antonio’s charismatic, charming personality captured the heart of his soon to be mother-in-law. Antonio and Corina were married on his birthday, June 13, 1956 in Lubbock, Texas. Antonio worked in the cotton and ginning industry in Carlise, Texas and later worked at Reese Airforce Base in Lubbock, Texas. In March 1960, Antonio’s life changed when he accepted Jesus Christ as his personal savior and was baptized by the Mision Templo Bautista church in Shallowater, Texas. Antonio was ordained as a Missionary in June 1960 by Central Baptist Church in Lubbock, Texas, Baptist Missionary Association. He began working as interstate Missionary with Spanish speaking people in Roswell, New Mexico. To prepare for his ministry service, he attended English classes and enrolled at Lubbock Christian College where he obtained a certificate in Theology. In May 1969, he was ordained as a Gospel Minister in Lubbock, Texas. In 1970, he and his family moved to Roswell, New Mexico to Pastor Mision Bautista Berea where he later grew the church membership so high that a new building was built. His life’s mission was to win souls for Christ and to share God’s love. He could strike up a conversation with strangers and make them feel like he had known them for years. Two of Antonio’s favorite scriptures were; Ecclesiastes 3:1-2 “For everything, there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die”,

Acts 2: 38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

He loved to sing and a couple of his favorite hymns were “He Peleado La Batalla” and “When we all get to Heaven”To make ends meet for his family, Antonio started a small landscaping business and soon had many loyal clients. He was a hard-working man with strong work ethics. He was proud that he had established wonderful working relationships with many business people in Roswell. He showed unconditional love to his family and always made sure to say “I Love You” more than twice. He was a person you could count on and didn't hesitate to help anyone in need. He loved making people laugh by telling humorous jokes which sometimes were made up as he went along. He enjoyed working in his yard and gardening. His favorite pastime was to watch the Houston Astros play baseball which he did many times at the Houston Astrodome, Minute Maid Park or on TV. He also enjoyed watching boxing with his wife, Corina and their favorite was Canelo Alvarez or anyone from Mexico. Antonio was very proud of his heritage being Mexican and always tried to instill strong values in his children by never forgetting where they came from. He was preceded in death by his parents Sebastian and Antonia Garcia, and his four brothers; Guadalupe, Marcos, Francisco, and Sebastian. He leaves to cherish fond memories and the love of his life; his wife of 68 years Corina “Connie” Garcia of Roswell, New Mexico, three children; Oscar Garcia (Sylvia) of Hempstead, Texas, Roy Garcia (Lilly) of Katy, Texas and Denise “Dina” Garcia of Roswell, New Mexico; seven grandchildren, Rodney, Nancy, April, Kristine, Anthony, Michael and Corina; and thirteen great-grandchildren, Jayden, Isabella, Ivy, Luke, Emmaline, Addison, Sailor, Sunday, Keyanna, Tatiana, Michael, Delilah, Malachi a host of other loving family and friends.

All services will be held on Saturday, July 20, 2024 at New Covenant Fellowship Church, 1601 W. McGaffey St., Roswell, New Mexico 88203. A viewing will be held from 1:00PM to 2:00PM following with the Celebration of Life services from 2:00PM to 3:15PM. The family is providing a dinner reception immediately following the service in the fellowship hall at NCF. The family will have an open Mic for those who would love to share a memory, humorous memory or kind words of Antonio. 

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