John Garate Polanco Jr.

John Garate Polanco Jr., age 78, of Texas City, TX, passed away on December 20, 2025, surrounded by his loving family, leaving behind a legacy of love as a devoted husband for 56 years, father, grandfather, and friend.

John Garate Polanco Jr. was born on July 31, 1947, at St. Mary's Infirmary in Galveston, Texas, to John Garate Polanco Sr. of Brownsville, Texas, and Margaret Edwina Collier of Jasper, Texas. He grew up in Texas City with his sister Mary and graduated from Texas City High School in 1965. Following high school, John attended Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas, majoring in Business Administration, and graduated in 1969. Yet, it was during the summer of 1967 that John met the love of his life, Josie Lira, while out one evening in Galveston at the Grass Menagerie. The two soon began dating and became engaged the following year on Christmas Eve, 1968. They married the next year on October 31, 1969, honoring the church's rescheduled wedding date on Halloween-a day that became a favorite holiday, even for the grandkids. Soon after their wedding, John was drafted into the United States Army during the Vietnam War, reporting for basic training on December 4, 1969. He deployed to Vietnam in June of 1970, serving honorably as a Transportation Specialist. He returned home in the summer of 1971, where he and Josie would start a family, having three children; John, Paul, and Michelle.

Professionally, John would earn his insurance license but eventually find success in the sales industry with Safety Shorts, a division of Dunn Equipment, where he would retire in 2007. John was a member of St. Mary of the Miraculous Medal Catholic Church in Texas City, TX, where he often taught Sunday school to youth. He devoted much of his time and energy to caring for his family and grandchildren, and over the years, would often be seen and heard cheering loudly on the sidelines of basketball courts, baseball games, and soccer fields, rarely missing a game. John and Josie shared a love of travel and spent many weekends visiting garage sales and antique shops, with John finding joy in collecting stamps, painting, and assembling model cars. He was a generous and compassionate soul, known for his friendly, outgoing nature and boisterous laugh. He consistently placed the needs of others before his own-whether it was assisting those less fortunate with a few dollars or a hot meal, or rescuing animals in need. A familiar face at Shipley's Donuts in Texas City, he often enjoyed visits with friends and acquaintances or was found at one of his favorite local taquerias, enjoying a cup of coffee with huevos rancheros. John will be remembered for his generous heart, love for his family, and devotion to his wife, Josie Polanco.

John was preceded in death by his parents, John Garate Polanco Sr. and Margaret Edwina Collier. He is survived by many family members who he dearly loved; his loving wife, Josie Lira Polanco; his sons, John Garate Polanco III and wife Michelle Smith, and their son, Charles Smith; Paul Brian Polanco and wife Michelle Medrano Polanco, and their daughters, Natalie, Alexandria, Summer, and Arianna Polanco; and his daughter, Michelle Renee Polanco, and her children, Gavin Lord, Landon Lord, and Taylor Givens. John is also survived by his sister, Mary Katherine Polanco; daughter, Melissa McManus and husband Brady McManus, children Grant McManus and Reese McManus; son Michael Ausley and wife Jamie Ausley.

The family will honor John Garate Polanco, Jr. with a Mass at St. Mary of the Miraculous Medal Catholic Church in Texas City, TX on Saturday, January 3, 2026, at 10:00 AM, followed by a celebration of life at La Brisa Mexican Bar & Grill in League City, TX until 4:00 PM. The family would also like to thank HCA Houston Healthcare Mainland Hospital and Solidago Health & Rehabilitation for their compassion and exceptional care shown to John and our family. Online condolences may be shared at Carnes Funeral Home Obituaries/John Garate Polanco, Jr..