Amando Garcia Jr.

1936 - 2025

AMANDO GARCIA, JR.
May 26, 1936 - November 21, 2025
Amando Garcia, Jr. 89, peacefully passed away in the early morning hours of Friday, 11/21/25. Born in the small town of Bruni, Texas, this curious boy came from humble beginnings. Never would he have imagined how his life has woven a tapestry of love for Our Lord, his family & friends, and that his life legacy would carry on for generations in Mariachi Music.

He was a formidable athlete, and folklorico dancer. His tio Manuel gave him his first guitar, and as a young boy he would sit on the steps to his house playing his guitar with his young sister Anna accompanying him with her sweet voice in songs. Upon graduating Bruni High School he immediately enlisted and served his country. Once he completed his time in the Army, he moved to San Antonio and was hired at Kelly Air Force Base, where his career started in the machine shops finishing his career at Special Weapons and retired with over 31 years of service. He fell in love and married Wanda Lee Gonzalez. They had their family. They were married 53 years until Wanda's passing in 2014. While working as a government employee he had a coworker friend recruit him into a "cursillo" retreat. And since he played guitar, he was asked to play guitar for the mariachi mass at Mission San Jose. This is the beginning of his love for Mariachi Music. In the 70's he established the first official permanent member mariachi group in San Antonio, Mariachi Azteca de Bejar. This Mariachi had notoriety because of their different colors of "trajes" (mariachi suits). The public fell in love with the music and style of this group. They entertained Presidents, Cardinals, Archbishops, Bishops, celebrities, cosmonauts, and performed with the best of the best. Mr. Conrad Hilton liked them so much they were the "house Mariachi" for the downtown Hilton hotel in it's early years. In the late 70's he teamed up with Belle San Miguel Ortiz and husband, Juan Ortiz to start Mariachi Workshops-conferences in San Antonio for students who wanted to learn this music/culture. This erupted into a huge success once the school districts added this to their course listing for the schools. This currently continues on with UIL competitions between school districts as well as nationwide and even in Japan.

Just last year his assisted living facility gave him a tribute with the State Senator giving him a State of Texas Resolution of gratitude for all the Mariachi entertainment and education he gave to this city.

He was a musician, mariachi, teacher, artist, poet, author, furniture builder, welder, mechanic, Mr. Fix it, a rancher, an uncle, a godfather, a loving husband, the Best dad, a wonderful father-in-law, and a fun-loving grandpa (just to name a few things)!

He is predeceased by his parents, Amando Garcia, Sr. and Biviana Garcia; his wife, Wanda Lee Garcia; two sons, Raul Amando, and Amando 'Corky' Garcia III; also his siblings, Joe A. Garcia, Alicia Perez-Husband Rosendo, Elva Gomez (husband, Rene), and Martha Botello (husband, Albert).

He is survived by his daughter, Sandy Jo Garcia and her husband Mario Lockwood; his only granddaughter, Tiffany Jo Maltos; his only surviving sister, Anna Almaraz; and sister-in-law, Elda Garcia; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Let's remember this special man with his infectious smile, silly sense of humor and common-sense advice.

A visitation will be held on Thursday, December 18, 2025, at Porter Loring Mortuary, 1101 McCullough Ave., San Antonio, Texas 78212, from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m., followed by a rosary at the same location beginning at 6:00 p.m.

A funeral mass will take place the next morning, Friday, December 19, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. at St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church, 1314 Fair Ave. #2, San Antonio, Texas 78223.

The committal service will follow at 11:30 a.m. at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, 1520 Harry Wurzbach Rd., San Antonio, Texas 78209.

Please take a look at the other version of this obituary at PorterLoring.com. Sign the guest book and click on the link for the livestreaming of the services.

Arrangements with