Ruben Garcia

Ruben M. Garcia, 80, entered into eternal rest on January 17, 2012. He served his country with the United States Army (1951-1954) and deployed to the Korean conflict (52-54) where he earned the Korean Service Metal with two Bronze Service Stars, the UN Service Metal, the National Defense Service Metal and the Good Conduct Service Metal.-The GI Form named him Veteran Of The Year in 1973.-He remained on active duty in the reserves and reached Master Sergeant within 18 months of enlisting.

Ruben M., a man of vision, who early on saw the need to develop industrial property to promote Laredo's proximity to Mexico's industrial interior and its trade business together with a handful of local businessmen/bankers ushered Laredo into its current "Largest Inland Port In The United States" status in his generation. He went on to develop his first industrial park property along Jefferson St. and its success seeded the idea to create Modern Construction, founded in 1969, along with his brothers Sergio M. and Hector G. Garcia, to build warehousing to accommodate this newfound industry.-He then executed the integration of turnkey development, whereby basically a Mexican Broker/Businessman could purchase property and warehouse facility at one place to service his customer needs.-He followed these successes with Tejas Industrial Park I, II & III and in 1987 UNITEC Industrial Park.-He saw first hand the developing oil & gas industry in the mid seventies and along with good friends & business associates Roberto R. Salinas and Clarence Martens made plans and developed South Laredo Industrial Park to service the oil & gas sector.-He went on to participate in various successes in the oilfield business including the success of the Fandango Field find.

Ruben M., a man who believed in community involvement, was recognized by three separate organizations that honored him with "Man Of The Year" status and he also received the Governor's Industrial Award in 1972 and 1973, as well as, recognized in a Texas State publication titled "MEN OF ACHIEVEMENT IN TEXAS". He also served on the Board Of Trustees at Laredo Junior College from 1974-1990 and served as its president in 1988-1990. His tireless efforts towards the advancement of education brought forth vocational programs in the fields of welding, metal works, auto repair, air conditioning and more importantly a vision he shared with Dr. Joaquin Cigarroa for the future needs in nursing which brought about Laredo's first nursing program at Laredo Junior College, a huge accomplishment. He was recognized with numerous awards during his tenure at LJC including its "MERITORIOUS SERVICE AWARD" in 1990, most recently received his greatest honor the naming of the "ALLIED HEALTH CENTER" in his name for his countless contributions and genuine passion towards higher education for Laredo students. He was also a member of L.I.F.E. and devoted forty years in many capacities by promoting Laredo area kids towards raising livestock for the annual fair & exposition. He was instrumental in raising funds to purchase local student livestock projects through his vast network of business associates. It was his passion for ranching and cattle that inspired his tenure at L.I.F.E. and later his own ranching and cattle operation where he was recognized by life with their Annual Rancher Of The Year Award in 2005.

Ruben M. also has been a director with various organizations including Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, The Laredo Junior College, Central Power and Light Company, Union National Bank, South Texas National Bank, Laredo Chamber Of Commerce, South Texas Private Industry Council, The American General Contractors Association, The Laredo Development Foundation, The Laredo International Fair & Exposition, The Ruth B. Cowl Rehabilitation Center, and Mercy Regional Medical Center.

Ruben M. Garcia's many accomplishments were based on his vision of Laredo, his understanding of the concept of economic development, his brothers and a handful of local leaders, his unlimited energy and work ethic and his "ETERNALLY OPTIMISTIC" attitude made him the survivor he was and his deep love for ALL of his family and ALL of his friends defines his trademark "IT CAN BE DONE".

He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Maria R. Helen Garcia; sons, George Luis Garcia, Gerardo "Jerry" Garcia; parents, Manuel and Elena Garcia; brothers, Hector G. Garcia, Sergio M. Garcia; sister, Aida Garcia-Cuellar; and grandnephew, Mercurio Martinez III.

Ruben is survived by his children, Rene H. (Mary Ann) Garcia, Hector J. "Tito" Garcia, Ruben M. Garcia Jr., Carlos D. Garcia, Helen G. Arrocha; Daughters-in-law, Laura Garcia, Mary Susan Garcia; grandchildren, Ana Paola Garcia, Rebeka (Mike) Reed, Robert A. Garcia, Jorge Daniel "Danny" Garcia, Gerardo R. Garcia, Terry Ann Garcia, Abigail Garcia, Brianna Garcia, Andrea Garcia, Alejandro D. Arrocha, Gabriel Arrocha, Carlos Dominguez; sisters and brother, Elia G. Guerra, Amelia G. Luxford, Manuel B. Garcia III; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

We would like to thank Dr. Joaquin Cigarroa, Dr. Benson Huang, Dr. Leo Cigarroa, Tami Trevino, Siloh Home Health & Nurses, LMC Hospice Program, Conchita Martinez, Griselda San Miguel, and Aurelio Castillo for their kindness and dedication towards our father, Ruben M. Garcia.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to Ruben M. Garcia Memorial Trust Fund at the Laredo Community College. For more information please contact Millie Slaughter (956)721-5812.