In Memoriam Father Eduardo "Eddie" H. García

Father Eduardo "Eddie" H. García passed away at his home at the St. John Vianney Residence for Priests in Corpus Christi on the evening of Nov. 14. Father García was born in Alice on Oct. 24, 1955 and baptized at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Alice.
 
After graduating from Alice High School in 1974, he attended Del Mar College in Corpus Christi earning an associate degree in music/vocal performance in 1980. In 1984, he completed two bachelor degrees at Corpus Christi State University in music education and theatre/communication/TV and film arts. During that time, he was involved in various music positions including adjunct instructor at Chula Vista Fine Arts Elementary, music and drama coordinator at Creative Arts Center, Inc. and music and drama coordinator at the Jewish Community Center. He also served as a cantor for Temple Bethel and Corpus Christi Cathedral. 
 
Father García attended the University of St. Thomas and St. Mary’s Seminary in Houston, earning a master's degree in interdisciplinary studies arts administration and a master's of divinity in 1989. He was ordained a deacon on May 20, 1989 and on Jan. 20, 1990 Bishop Rene H. Gracida ordained him to the priesthood at Corpus Christi Cathedral.
 
After ordination, Father García served as a parochial vicar at Our Lady of Guadalupe in Corpus Christi and later served as pastor. During that time, he also served as director of the Office of Sacred Worship for the Diocese of Corpus Christi and an adjunct professor of liturgy and sacraments, communications and homiletics at the University of the Incarnate Word, Diocese of Corpus Christi Pastoral Institute.
 
In 1997, he was appointed pastor of St. Joseph parish in Alice and dean of the Alice Deanery. After a sabbatical year, Father García served as a curriculum developer at various academic centers in Houston. In 2004, and for several years after, he served as hospice chaplain at Exclusive Home Health & Hospice in Beeville, where he was also priest-in-residence at St. Joseph. In 2011, until the time of his passing, he provided priestly assistance at Mount Carmel Assisted Living in Corpus Christi.
 
His grandparents Mauro L. García and Guadalupe H. García, his stepfather José Luis Villarreal and several aunts, uncles and one nephew predecease Father García.  His mother Baudelia García Villarreal; his siblings Imelda, Nelda, Melva and José Villarreal; his aunt Noelia H. García; his uncles Joel Rosales and José Humberto; three nieces, one nephew, three grandnieces and one grandnephew survive him.  
 
Visitation will be at Our Lady of Guadalupe, 540 Hiawatha Street, in Corpus Christi on Friday, Nov. 18, with the family viewing at 3 p.m. and the public viewing at 5 p.m. A Rosary will begin at 7 p.m.
 
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Joseph, 801 South Reynolds, in Alice on Saturday, Nov. 19, at noon. Burial will follow Mass at the family ranch cemetery. A reception for Father García’s brother priests will be held immediately after Mass at St. Joseph Parish Hall. The reception for all family and friends will be held immediately after the burial, also at St. Joseph Parish Hall.