Jesus Hilario Vasquez “Jesse” Garcia of San Saba, Texas peacefully passed away surrounded by his daughter and son-in-law in Kingwood, Texas in Harris County on December 11, 2024.
Jesse, better known to family and friends by many nicknames, such as, Big Jesse, Larry, Chivo or Chuy was born in San Antonio, Texas on October 4, 1976 to Micaela “Mickie” Vasquez Garcia. Mickie and Jesse moved to San Saba when Jesse was little to be close to Mickie’s family. Jesse graduated from San Saba High School in 1996 and worked for Lynn Hamrick for many years on and off as well as Golding Motors. Jesse also started working for Sheriff John Benner with the San Saba County Sheriff’s Office as a Jailer and a Dispatcher after his graduation. Jesse also worked many years with the State of Texas for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, TDCJ in the prison system and worked in several prison units around the state, including the San Saba Unit and was one of the officers that reopened the San Saba Unit when it transferred from a juvenile facility back to an adult prison in control of TDCJ. He was a volunteer for the San Saba County Volunteer EMS and the San Saba County Volunteer Fire Department for many years. He worked for O’Reilly Auto Parts in Odessa, Brownwood and Temple for several years and enjoyed this company and the co-workers. Jesse made friends no matter where he went. If you knew Jesse was to love him. If you traveled anywhere with him, it always seemed he ran into people he that he knew or had met in some sort of work. It was almost like he was known worldwide.
Jesse’s first pride and joy was his daughter Melita “Mela” Garcia. The love this father had for his daughter was strong and ran deep and he loved her with all his heart. He then had 2 grandchildren that meant more to him than life itself. Jesse’s grandson, Jerry Wayne “Jdub” Bailey IV, and his granddaughter, Gracelynn Kay “Gracie” Bailey brought so much joy and happiness to Jesse. If you followed Jesse on his social media or spoke with him in person, he was sure to tell you about his grandchildren, his love for them and show you pictures and it was evident that he was the proudest grandfather ever.
On October 4, 2006 Jesse’s mother, Mickie, passed away in Llano, Texas. This happened to be Jesse’s 30th birthday. Jesse never liked to celebrate his birthday after her passing but family and friends wanted his day to be special for him and still had dinners for him. Jesse mourned his mother’s passing deeply and stated that he always wanted to be buried by her, which his daughter, son-in-law and best friend hoped his wish could be granted and it was.
The last few years of Jesse’s life he had become ill and slowly continued to decline in health. His dialysis was something that he did not look forward to, but continued to persevere. In 2023 when he suffered a major heart attack and was not expected to survive, he did. He was indeed one of God’s miracles. He continued to face several health issues but what kept Jesse pushing forward was his grandchildren. Not only Jdub and Gracie, but all the “Bailey Kids” that Jesse took in as his own. He pushed each day for them.
Jesse was preceded in death by his mother, Mickie Garcia; a very special aunt, who took Jesse under her wing when his mother passed, Aunt Carmen Diaz and a very special cousin who was like a sister, Enedina “Dina” Diaz as well as several other aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.
Jesse is survived by his daughter, Mela Garcia and her husband BJ Bailey, grandson Jdub Bailey and Gracie Bailey of Shepard, Texas. Uncle Joe Vasquez, Aunt Connie Gonzales, Aunt Hermelinda Robledo, Aunt Jessica Trejo all of San Saba, Texas, and Uncle Manuel Vazquez of San Antonio, Texas, Nephew JJ Lopez of Fentress, Texas, Joe Michael Lopez of Carlsbad, New Mexico, Niece Mickey Jane Lopez and brother Joe Lopez and wife Dale of San Saba, Texas. Jesse is also survived by his best friend Dwayne Shaw of San Saba, Texas as well as a host of other cousins.
Visitation for Jesse Garcia will be Tuesday December 17, 2024 from 5pm to 7pm at Blaylock Funeral Chapel in San Saba.
Funeral will be Wednesday December 18, 2024 at 11am at Blaylock Funeral Chapel in San Saba with burial at the San Saba Cemetery.
Pallbearers for Jesse Garcia will be: JJ Lopez, Joe Michael Lopez, Dwayne Shaw, Ty Mann, Daylon Smith, Jose Romero, BJ Bailey, Tyler Bailey & Danny Erwin. Honorary Pallbearers will be: Jdub Bailey, Gracie Bailey, Serenity Lopez & Jaycee Lopez
In lieu of flowers memorials can be made to the San Saba County Friends of Animals or the San Saba County Never Surrender Cancer Foundation.