Dates
Ernesto "Don Chato" Garcia, 87, of San Angelo passed away on March 23, 2025.
Public viewing will be from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM on Friday, March 28, 2025 at Robert Massie Funeral Home with rosary being at 6:00 PM. Mass will be at 11:00 AM on Saturday, March 29, 2025 at St. Mary's Catholic Church. Burial will follow in Lawnhaven Memorial Gardens under the direction of Robert Massie Funeral Home.
Mr. Garcia was born on February 26, 1938 in Los Charcos, Mexico to Ascencion and Costancia Gamez Garcia. Ernesto moved to East Texas in his early 20s to work as a cowboy on ranches. He married Margarita Olveda in 1966. After Ernesto moved to San Angelo he worked as a truck driver for San Angelo Bi-products for over 10 years and then as a machine operator for over 20 years at Sante Fe railroad. He played the guitar in mariachi bands at weddings, quinces, and at midnight on Mother's Day they would serenade all over town, getting home early in the morning to serenade for his wife. Ernesto had a great sense of humor, was a jokester, the life of the party, but most of all he loved spreading joy to others. The family said that he would literally give you the shirt off his back if you needed it. Ernesto loved children and would always make sure they had what they needed; they called him Popo.
He was preceded in death by four siblings, Erineo, Maria, Juan, and Gabriel.
Ernesto is survived by his wife, Margarita of the home; four children, John Adam Garcia and wife Janie of San Angelo, Mary Ann Price of San Angelo, Ernest Garcia of San Angelo, and Connie Baca of Grand Prairie; two siblings, Lupe Astello of Tanke Blanco, Mexico and Benigno Gamez and wife Reyes of Los Charcos, Mexico; nine grandchildren, Jordan Baca and wife Vanessa of Arlington, Gabriel Baca and wife Adriana of Grand Prairie, Adrian Baca and wife Mariah of Arlington, Celine Baca and John Ibarra of Grand Prairie, Christian Garcia, Sevy Garcia, Caleb Price, Lauryn McKayla Price, and Colby Price all of San Angelo; and nine great grandchildren.
Pallbearers will be Jordan Baca, Gabriel Baca, Adrian Baca, John Ibarra, Caleb Price, Colby Price, and Sevy Garcia. Honorary pallbearers will be Jeremiah Ibarra, Isaiah Baca, Dominic Baca, and Benito Chappa.
The family would like to thank hospice of San Angelo most especially Laura, Rusty, Diana, and Maria for all their help, graciousness and kindness through the last part of his journey and helping make his transition dignified and peaceful.