Dates
Robert ”Bobby” Ruiz Garcia, 61, of San Angelo, went to be with the Lord on Friday, May 29, 2015. Visitation will begin at 3pm Monday, June 1st with a vigil service at 7pm @ Gutierrez Funeral Chapels/North. Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10am Tuesday, June 2nd at St. Mary’s Catholic Church with Father Joey Faylona officiating. Entombment will follow at Calvary Catholic Cemetery.
Bobby was born April 20, 1954, in San Angelo, Texas, to Guadalupe and Ester Garcia. Upon his mother’s death at the age of 2, he was taken in by his paternal aunt, Elvira Garcia, and for the next 37 years, she raised him as her own, teaching him the importance of family and the value of hard work. Many people had a hand in teaching Bobby invaluable lessons that made him the man he was. His daddy taught him how to work on cars. His love of fishing and barbecuing came from many time spent with his uncle, Rudy Garcia. His role model in being a good provider for his family and planning for the future came from his close relationship with his uncle, Reynaldo Garcia.
Bobby grew up attending St. Mary’s and Sacred Heart Catholic schools. He attended San Angelo Central High School and proudly graduated in the Class of 1972. As a youth & teenager, he was active in the Catholic Youth Organization, served as an altar server & lector at his church, and participated in VICA and the Mexican American Association at his school. He attended San Angelo College and obtained a certificate in bookkeeping. Later, he attended Angelo State University and Howard College and in 2003, he graduated with an Associates Degree in Computer Networking.
Bobby proudly served his community with involvement in the Southside Lions Club and the American GI Forum for many years. Bobby was a founding member of the Knights of Columbus Chapter at St. Mary’s, served on the parish Finance council and helped with many Jamaicas.
For over 30 years, Bobby was an appliance repairman for West Texas Utilities and later Coinmach Corporation. While working at WTU, he met the people that would become his lifelong friends. Customers were always happy to see Bobby and relied on the quality of his work . At WTU was where he would meet the love of his life, April.
His life’s devotion was to his family and his greatest pleasure was becoming a Buelo. Bobby lived surrounded by women, having his wife, 3 daughters, and 7 granddaughters in his life until another male, his one and only grandson, Isaac aka “Gordo” joined the family in July 2014. Wherever Bobby went, he was never a stranger. There was always a nearby friend or extended family member that crossed his path. Even though Bobby was an only child, he had numerous “brothers and sisters” in all of the cousins that he had. The love and support these relationships provided made it evident that he was beloved by his family.
He is preceded in death by his parents, his wife April, and his granddaughter, Victoria. Survivors include three daughters, Catherine Batla of San Angelo, Amanda Rivero & husband, Javier of Portland, TX, and Bobbi Michelle Garcia of San Angelo; seven grandchildren, Cheyenna, Cyvonna, Gabriella, Isabel, Ileana, Izara, and Isaac; uncle & aunt, Reynaldo & Celia Garcia of San Antonio, TX and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends.
Pallbearers will be Albert Garcia, Cecilio Garcia, Cruz Garza, Raul Hernandez, Chris Mediano, Raymond Pape, Freddie Rangel, and Clifton Stockbridge. Honorary pallbearers are Javier Rivero and grandson, Isaac.
We wish to thank Dr. Ty Hughston, Dr. Anthony DeMory, and Shannon Dialysis Center for all the wonderful care they provided.
My Daddy
There was no one like My Daddy
To me he was the best of them all
A "Daddy" I could look up to
Both now that I'm big and when I was small
My Daddy could fix things
To me, he knew it all
My Daddy would pick me up
Every time that I would fall
My Daddy always cared for me and made sure I was ok
My Daddy would give me advice
To help lead me on my way
Nothing can replace My Daddy
That for sure I know
God blessed me with a special Daddy
I will forever miss him so