The Reverend Joel Sierra Garcia of San Antonio, formerly of Bandera, passed away on October 15, 2020 at the age of 93 years. He was born March 1, 1927 in Laredo, Texas to Joel E. Garcia and Virginia Sierra Garcia and raised in Monterrey, Mexico.
On April 13, 1949, he married Mary Molina. They were blessed with four children.
Still not knowing how to speak English, Joel enlisted in the United States Army in 1945 at age the age of 18. He served overseas during WWII and Korea, in the 63rd infantry regiment.
He was a civil service employee at Kelly AFB for over thirty-three years. During his time at Kelly AFB, he painted many portraits for generals, commanders, etc., as well as creating artist concepts of new buildings, conference rooms, and related areas.
Joel was ordained as a deacon in 1958 and as a pastor in 1983. He pastored Templo Camino Nuevo, First Hispanic Baptist Mission in Bandera, Texas. He taught conversational Spanish and Culture of Meso-American history for fourteen years at the Silver Sage Senior Center in Bandera. Joel was the Bandera County Christian Fellowship vice president, Chaplain for the Bandera County Commissioners Court, Bandera County Jail Chaplain, First Vice Chairman of the board of directors for the Community Council of South-Central Texas. He was also appointed by County Judge Richard Evans to be his permanent representative at the Board of Directors.
Joel was preceded in death by his wife of sixty-eight years, Mary Molina; his parents, Joel E. and Virginia Sierra Garcia; his son, Joel Adrian Garcia; and fifteen siblings.
He is survived by his children, Dianna Garcia-Smith of New York, Rodger Garcia of Morelia, Mexico, and Jolyn (Buddy) Loessberg of San Antonio; four grandchildren, Edward (Lana) Register, Dana (Allan) Dinsmore, Leslie (Ed) Britt, and Kim (Stephen) Moffett; nine great-grandchildren; one great-great-granddaughter; as well as numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives.
A Family Graveside Service was held on Wednesday, October 21, 2020 at Castroville Community Cemetery in Castroville, Texas.
Arrangements by Tondre-Guinn Funeral Home.