Community Mourns Passing of La Feria Fire Chief

Updated: January 16, 2015

Celebrated First Responder Enrique I. Garcia Jr. Remembered by Friends and Family

Will Alonso, a firefighter with the La Feria Fire Department, posted this group photo online on the evening of January 7th, tagging those gathered at a Memorial Service for Chief Garcia held that day. Alonso writes “Chief’s extended family. Everybody that I tagged was either at the viewing or at the funeral. One way or another somehow someway we were all apart of chief’s life and he was a part of our lives. He helped each and every one of us excel in what we all wanted he helped us all believe that we can do it and he showed us that we could once we all got to the part that he knew we can get to know he would challenge us even more to continue. Chief believed in each and everyone of us and I’m sure that to this very day he still does. Chief you’re in a much better place now you’re not suffering anymore we all love you dearly and miss you dearly may you forever rest in peace.” Click to see larger. Photo: Facebook

La Feria Fire Chief Enrique I. Garcia. Photo: Facebook

“Today we lost a great fire chief to his battle with cancer,” Ricky Reyes, a La Feria native and local area firefighter who had worked with Garcia since 2011, posted on the Texas Firefighters Facebook group.

“This man devoted 25 years of his life to La Feria Volunteer Fire Department even during his sickness. Enrique Garcia Jr. will always be remembered as a wise, caring, and humorous man. He worked day and night to provide for his firefighters and make sure they had the equipment and the training they needed.”

Enrique I. Garcia Jr., 50, passed away Friday, January 2, 2015, at his home surrounded by his loving family. Diagnosed with kidney cancer last year, Garcia continued to work for La Feria’s fire department as long as his illness allowed.

La Feria Fire Chief Enrique I. Garcia worked to improve the performance and resources of La Feria’s fire department. Click to see larger. Photo: Youtube.com

Garcia is recognized for starting the First Responders Program in La Feria to assist EMS. He worked for La Feria’s Fire Department for 25 years. Garcia was also employed at STEC for 23 years, where he was an EMT-I, Flight Medic and a 911 Communications Dispatcher.

Garcia is also fondly remembered by many in the community for the encouragement he would provide to his volunteer firefighters, leading many to complete their education to seek full time employment as first responders.

IN MEMORIUM: Area first responders and volunteers posted badges on their Facebook profiles in tribute to Garcia. Photo: Facebook

Tributes from friends and family were posted to Facebook and other social media sites over the weekend with many changing their profile pictures to photos of service badges adorned with the traditional black stripe as per agency protocol.