Ventura Garcia

Ventura Garcia Jr.
December 28, 1947 – November 26, 2013

Ventura “Ben” Garcia passed away on Tuesday November 26th in his home surrounded by his immediate family. Funeral Services will be held, Saturday, November 30, 2013 at 11 a.m. at St. Louis Catholic Church. Rosary will be, 5-7 Friday, November 29, 2013 at OakCrest Funeral Home, 4520 Bosque Blvd.

Ben graduated from Reicher Catholic High School in 1966. He retired from H.E.B. after 40 years of service in the produce department, working his way from produce clerk to the position of produce manager. In addition to his job Ben was the bandleader for various bands, which opened for artists such as Little Joe y La Familia, Ruben Ramos and many others. Primarily a drummer he also taught himself to play the base guitar, string guitar and the keyboard. More recently he enjoyed spending time with his life long friends Gonzalo Quintanilla and Joe Mendez as they laughed and played music.

Outside of his music Ben loved to play golf and cards. After he retired he also enjoyed traveling to Europe and Canada to visit his children and grandchildren. Everyone who knew Ben will miss him calling them to sing a very special Happy Birthday song to them. Ben was loved and will be missed by many.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ventura and Juanita Alonzo Garcia Sr.

He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Rose Herrera Garcia; daughters, Beatrice Marie Chapa and husband Ray, Venita Lanay Thompson and husband Mark Thompson; grandchildren, Antonio and Catalina Chapa, and Kendra and Grace Thompson; siblings, Gloria Gonzales and husband David, Danny Garcia and wife Rosie, Connie Florez and husband Narcisco, Mary Paz Saucedo, Gabriel Garcia and wife Christina, Esteban Garcia and wife Guadalupe; and many nieces and nephews.