Thomas Garcia, Jr.
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Mass of Christian Burial for Thomas Garcia, Jr., 86, Lawrence will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, April 20, 2012 at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Lawrence. Burial with military honors will follow at Mount Calvary Cemetery. Mr. Garcia died Tuesday, April 17, 2012 at his home.
He was born on October 18, 1925 in Lecompton, KS the son of Thomas Garcia, Sr. and Simona Carrillo Garcia.
Mr. Garcia served in the U.S. Army during World War II in Central Europe from 1943 – 1946. He was with the 75th Infantry Division, 290th Regiment, Company B and served in the Battle of the Bulge. He was awarded the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star.
During his lifetime he worked for the University of Kansas, the Santa Fe Railroad and eventually retired from Lawrence School District 497 in 1987.
He met Michele Jonckhere in Paris, France and was married on September 10, 1949 at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church. They shared 62 years of marriage. She survives, of the home.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his four brothers, Joe, Frank, Silverio and Leon and two sisters Elvira and Betty. He is survived by his four children, Thomas Garcia, III, of Lawrence, Dolores Ortiz and husband Stephen of Lawrence, Yvonne Garcia, and husband Alan of Lawrence; Francine Gonzalez and husband Leo of Topeka, seven grandchildren, and two step-grandchildren, Stephen, Dominic, Chris, Philip, Keith, Lindsey, Madison, Allison and Michelle and two great-grandchildren, Kaleb and Emily, four sisters, Nancy Findley, California, Lavina Vasquez and Mary Nunez, Lawrence, and Mona Brown, Virginia.
A parish rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. Thursday at Warren-McElwain Mortuary, after which the family will receive friends until 8:30 p.m.
Memorial contributions may be made in his name to the Douglas County Visiting Nurses, Rehabilitation and Hospice Care or St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church and may be sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary.
As kids at Woodlawn, it always seemed like our parents would ALWAYS be there to guide us. It’s so hard to lose them. With sympathy for the loss of your dad.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this very sad time of losing your dad. Love to all of your family. Frank and Arlene
Thinking of all of you as you say goodby to a wonderful man. I especially remember what a good father he was when Tom was in my class at Cordley. Give Tom a special hug.
Although I didn’t know this man for long, I always had the upmost respect for him… and I’m extremely proud to have my son, Kaleb Thomas, named after him. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family at this difficult time.
Dear Mary and Family, our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this sad time…May he rest in peace…Mike and Rosemary Hadl
During my high school and college years I had the good fortune on various occassions to work for Tom at the Lawrence School District. Tom was a great boss. He was a gentleman, patriot, and good family man. My condolences to Mrs.Garcia and the family.