Leonardo R. Garcia

Mercedes - Leonardo Garcia was born on March 17, 1942, to Lucio Morales Garcia and Guadalupe Reyes Garcia in Mexico.

At the young age of 16, Leonardo left home to work for the Secretaría de Comunicaciones y Obras Públicas (SCOP), helping build national highways across Mexico. He began as a laborer and, through determination and perseverance, advanced to operating heavy equipment. His dedication eventually led him to join the engineering and surveying team, where he learned to read engineering plans and operate specialized machinery.

While working on the construction of the main highway from Reynosa, Tamaulipas, to Monterrey, Nuevo León, Leonardo met the love of his life, Rebeca Villegas, in the town of China, Nuevo León.

In 1971, Leonardo made the courageous decision to come to the United States in search of a better life for his family. After spending several years working in the fields, he transitioned to concrete work - a trade he mastered and dedicated more than 40 years of his life to. His skill and leadership helped shape some of the largest buildings on South Padre Island and throughout the Rio Grande Valley. He took great pride in mentoring many young workers who went on to find success in the construction industry.

Leonardo believed deeply in the value of hard work. In the mid-1980s and early 1990s, he took his family to Michigan to teach his children the importance of earning their way and appreciating the rewards of honest labor.

At the age of 70, Leonardo retired from concrete work to care for his beloved wife, Rebeca, whose health had begun to decline. He cared for her when she needed him the most. He was also her real-life hero when their house caught on fire. Even after escaping the flames, he went back into the house when she was not able to get out to stay with her until he was able to get them both out through the window. He lovingly cared for her until her passing in March 2017.

After her death, Leonardo found comfort and purpose by selling fruit from his truck - a small business that brought him joy and kept him connected to others. Always an early riser, he enjoyed a good cup of coffee and breakfast at his favorite local spots. He often said he needed nothing more because he had his children and family.

Leonardo deeply loved his grandchildren, nieces, and nephews - a love reflected in the many visits and calls he received. He will be remembered for his sense of humor, strong work ethic, and the timeless wisdom he shared with everyone who knew him.

He passed peacefully on Saturday, November 8, 2025, at 8:30 a.m., surrounded by his brothers, sister-in-law, daughter, sons, and grandchildren. He is preceded in Death By his beloved wife, Rebeca Garcia; his parents, Lucio Morales Garcia and Guadalupe Reyes Garcia; and several of his brothers and sisters. He is survived by his brothers:

Lucio Garcia and Santos (Juana) Garcia. children Jose T. Hernandez (Maria), Hugo Garcia (Belinda), Jose Luis Garcia (Santa Paula Gama Garcia), Andres "Andy" Garcia (Carmen), Leonardo Garcia Jr. (Marie), Marisa Garcia Hinojosa (Hector), grandchildren: Dulce Hernandez, Franchesca Hernandez (Anthony Bloom), Rebecca Hernandez (Matthew Medrano), Jonathan Daniel Alvarado, Briana Giselle Garcia, Lucas Garcia, Josiah Garcia, Macaria Alyssa Garcia Meadows (Jordan Meadows), Roberto Garcia, Ryan Garcia, Michael L. Garcia (Kattia), Matthew A. Garcia, Marcus J. Garcia, Samantha Hinojosa, Thomas Hinojosa; Great-Grandchildren Sebastian Bloom, Damian Hernandez, Vaeda Garcia Meadows, Michael Garcia Jr., He also leaves behind numerous nieces and nephews, each of whom he cherished and held close in his heart.

The family would like to extend a very special thank you to Tía Juana and Doña Julia for the love, care, and support they provided during Leonardo's final days. You will always hold a special place in our hearts.Leonardo leaves behind a legacy of love, unity, faith, and perseverance - values he lived by and passed on to his family. His teachings, sayings, and strength will continue to guide those he loved.

"Te queremos mucho, Viejo, y te vamos a extrañar."

con todo respeto y cariño - tus hijos y familiares.

Visitation will be held Wednesday Nov. 12, 2025 from 1 pm until 8 pm and a rosary prayed at 6 pm. Funeral Mass will be celebrated Thursday at 2 pm at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church in Mercedes, Interment will follow at Mercedes Memorial Restlawn. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Garcia & Trevino Funeral Home of Mercedes.