Jose Davila Garcia

Surrounded by the love and presence of his family, Jose D. Garcia passed peacefully on September 10, 2026, at the age of 96. Born on July 5, 1930, Jose lived a remarkable life defined by love, strength, perseverance, and devotion to his family.

Jose's greatest joy was his family, whom he loved deeply and held close to his heart. He leaves behind his children, Maria Idolina (Steve) Seabold, Noe Garcia and Cruz Jiminez, Rodolfo Garcia, Linda (Ben) Montelongo, Sylvester (Debra) Garcia, Melissa (Jeff) Cooper, and Roel (Ok) Garcia. His love and legacy will live on through his 21 grandchildren and 35 great-grandchildren, who brought him tremendous pride and happiness throughout his life.

Jose was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Lydia G. Garcia; his cherished sons, Saul Garcia, Jose Jr. Garcia, and Jaime Garcia; and his beloved grandson, Marcel Benevides. Their memories remained forever in his heart.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Centro Cultural de Washington County and/or Virginia Garcia Memorial Health Center.

In tribute to his extraordinary life and legacy, Jose D. Garcia's nearly century-long journey was a life well lived. He continued his work for equality and opportunity for the Latino community until the very end.

Jose, the eldest of four children, was born in San Benito, Texas, to Sylvestre and Juanita Garcia. Jose and his family resided in the Rio Grande Valley until his move to Oregon in 1967. Jose was quintessentially "Puro Tejano." His ancestors were from the same area of Texas, where family tombstones and gravesites can be found dating to the early 1800s, predating the Mexican-American War and the Battle of the Alamo.

A true gentleman, Jose's calm and welcoming demeanor put people at ease, while his selfless and humble manner won him the admiration of many. His greatest gift was his ability to listen and make others feel seen and heard. His words, actions and example allowed others to be their truest selves. His humble upbringing was marked by limited English, riding a horse to school - sometimes without shoes - picking cotton and surviving devastating hurricanes. Despite these hardships and others, Jose developed a remarkable resilience that he would rely upon throughout his life. His skill in mathematics quickly earned him a promotion to weighmaster. Soon afterward, he met the love of his life, Lydia Guajardo. They were married in 1950 and began building the large, happy family they had always dreamed of.

Jose joined the U.S. Army and served as a paratrooper during the Korean War era. Stationed at Fort Benning, Georgia, he completed 25 jumps. During his military training, he rapidly improved his English and later pursued a college education through the G.I. Bill. He studied at Texas Southmost College and graduated from Pan American College in 1960.

Jose went on to teach mathematics at a junior high school in Harlingen while working two additional jobs to make ends meet. He was deeply involved in his local Catholic church and led a major fundraising effort to build the new San Felipe Church in his neighborhood, where he served as Treasurer. He made sure his children attended church every Sunday and Catechism classes, teaching his family to live by the Ten Commandments. Following Sunday Mass, everyone would gather at his house for Pan Dulce y Cafe.

In late 1967, Jose saw an opportunity to improve his career prospects in Oregon, where teacher salaries were markedly higher. He took the family to Oregon "just for the summer." That summer became a lifetime, and Oregon became home, where most of his family remains today.

St. Alexander Catholic Church in Cornelius took on a significant role in Jose and Lydia's lives following the accidental death of one of their children. The church became a spiritual refuge for the family, and Jose and Lydia became deeply involved with the congregation. There they met an initial core group of established Latino families who remained close friends and, in some cases, Compadres for life.

In Oregon, Jose's professional career took a new trajectory. He initially taught mathematics at Poynter Junior High School in Hillsboro and later helped establish the first Migrant Education Program in Washington County in the late 1960s. He earned a master's degree from Eastern Oregon State College and returned as an administrator of Migrant Education and Title I programs in 1976, working closely with local community-based organizations.

Jose played significant roles in community advocacy and civic life. His and Lydia's community involvement helped give rise to organizations that continue serving the community today. Centro Cultural remains at the heart - "el corazon" - of the Latino community in Washington County, providing services that promote personal growth and empowerment.

Jose was also a founder of the Virginia Garcia Memorial Health Center. Nine-year-old Virginia Garcia, who was not related to Jose, died after a foot wound went untreated. Her death galvanized local community leaders, including Jose, to advocate for accessible health care. Jose and other leaders from Centro Cultural and community organizations traveled to Seattle to petition the Sisters of Providence. Funding was secured to open the first Virginia Garcia Memorial Health Center, with a goal of providing high-quality health care to all, especially populations facing barriers to care. Jose always believed that while miracles may come from God, they happen through the hands of doctors, nurses, research and love.

Jose went on to serve as the State Director of Migrant Education for Superintendent Verne Duncan and then-Governor Vic Atiyeh. In this role, he traveled extensively throughout the country and worked with senators and congressional officials. His work brought him into contact with presidential administrations spanning Ronald Reagan, George H. W. Bush and Bill Clinton.

Together with other local Latino leaders, Jose helped Oregon's Migrant Education Program gain national recognition. In 1989, Portland hosted the 23rd National Migrant Education Conference, bringing together migrant education administrators, consultants, counselors, resource specialists and teachers from across the country.

Jose lived his life with grace, peace and order and thoughtfully planned his final farewell. His life's work leaves a legacy of compassion and service that continues through bilingual and migrant education, Centro Cultural and the Virginia Garcia Memorial Health Center.

He never waited for praise, credit or recognition. For more than sixty years, he worked quietly and let his actions speak for themselves. He never forgot his own experiences growing up in the Rio Grande Valley and devoted most of his life to creating opportunities for others. He leaves behind a legacy of hope, opportunity and service to his community.

In his later years, Jose continued his annual trips to the Rio Grande Valley to visit family, traveled extensively throughout Mexico and Espana, and treasured time spent with his children, grandchildren and those he affectionately called "my greats."

He loved Tejano music and never missed an episode of the Johnny Canales Show. His home was filled with laughter, happiness, fajitas on the grill and the award-winning Arroz con Pollo his family grew up loving.

Above all, he remained devoted to his wife until the very end.

He lived his life with Love. Honor. Respect.

"Dad: You have no idea how much we loved the world you created for us...you never

stopped trying to make it better and more beautiful for us."

With love, your Familia

"Entre los individuos, como entre las naciones, el respeto al derecho ajeno es la paz." --Benito Juarez

"Among individuals, as among nations, respect for the rights of others is peace."