Obituary— Alberto Garcia
Alberto “Pinky” Garcia peacefully entered eternal glory on Friday, July 3, 2020 in El Paso, Texas. He was 95.
Pinky as his family and friends called him was born on April 7, 1925 in Shafter, Texas to his parents Fabian Garcia and Catalina (Gonzalez) Garcia. His mother died early in his life, and with his father having to work hard to raise a family, Albert was raised by his uncle Bernaldo Garcia.
Albert entered the United States Navy at a young age during World War II. He was assigned to the USS Morris, a destroyer which was the flagship of the Destroyer Squadron Two as a Fireman First Class. Following is a brief history of what Albert encountered while aboard the USS Morris.
Rejoining her squadron at Pearl Harbor in February 1942, Morris was present at both the Battles of the Coral Sea and of Midway in May and June. She was damaged at the former while rescuing 500 crewmembers of the sinking carrier Lexington, CV 2. In which Albert and his shipmates were stranded at sea while awaiting rescue. Quickly repaired at Pearl Harbor, she picked up 193 Yorktown shipmates when that carrier was torpedoed during the latter battle. Then in October, during the Guadalcanal Campaign, she took off more than 500 survivors of the sinking Hornet, CV 8, following the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands, again damaging her superstructure.
In May 1943, Morris was transferred to the Aleutian Islands; then overhauled before returning to the Central Pacific. During the Gilbert Islands Operation, she stood by a sinking carrier for a fourth time—Liscome Bay, CVE 56. She also participated in the Marshall Islands operation, the occupation of New Guinea, the landings at Leyte and the occupation of the Philippines.
On 6 April 1945, off Okinawa, Morris was crashed on the forecastle by a “Kate” bomber carrying a heavy bomb or torpedo. The explosion heavily damaged her bow, blew out plating on her starboard side and caused fires, which spread quickly and continued to burn for more than two hours. After temporary repairs at Kerama Retto off Okinawa, she departed 22 May and arrived at Hunters Point, San Francisco 18 June.
Upon being discharged from the Navy, Pinky moved back to Presidio where he worked for Spencer Farms and Big Bend National Park. He worked as a mechanic for most of his life. He also worked for Dr. Turner. Those in Van Horn may remember him most as the repairman for many of our washers and dryers.
He was a man of great integrity and self-worth. He was a loving and devoted husband, father and grandfather. Pinky loved life and all those that he would befriend. Despite his age, Pinky would always be the first one to help those in need. He would drive friends to doctors and other appointments that they needed. He loved to watch the Chicago Cubs as well as read and learn about new things. He was constantly learning and would never back down from a challenge. His love for God, Family and Country was never questioned and was an example to all.
Services for Pinky were held on Saturday, July 11, 2020 at the Van Horn Cemetery Gazebo with Father Apolinar Samboni serving as Celebrant. Military Graveside Services followed with Albert being laid to rest beside his beloved wife Socorro.
Those serving as pallbearers were Danial Borrego, Anthony Rodriguez, Bryant Garcia, Auden Urias, Michael A. Molinar and Miguel J. Molinar.
Serving as honorary pallbearers were E.G. Garcia, Jr., Manny Molina, Alfredo Estrada, Jr., Javier Mendoza, Rolando Hernandez, Rene Mendoza, Manuel Luna and Oscar Carrillo.
Those preceding Pinky in death was his beloved wife Socorro Garcia; his parents; his only brother E.G. Garcia; his two nephews Enrique Garcia and Jose Garcia.
Those left to honor and cherish the life of Pinky is his daughter Marie “Sooky” Borrego and her husband Israel of Van Horn; his grandchildren Tiffany Borrego and husband Auden Urias, Abbey Borrego and Daniel Borrego of Midland; his great grandchildren Kaydie Corral and Aston Urias both of Midland; cousins Lilly Wiley of El Paso and Leon Gonzalez of San Diego, California; his grandchildren by heart Michelle Molinar, Michael Molinar, Miguel Molinar and Monique Molinar. He is further survived by his brothers’ children Catalina Loving and her husband David, E. G. Garcia and his wife Elsa, Sylvia Garcia, Manuela Puga and her husband Mike, Joann Garcia, Tommy Staking as well as his brothers grandchildren and great grandchildren in which he loved as his very own; many nieces and nephews in which he loved and cared for very much; as well as many friends that he made over the years.
The Garcia family has entrusted Heritage Funeral Home in Van Horn, Texas with arrangements.
Online condolences may be left at: www.vanhornfunerals.com.
