Humberto Garcia Pinales

Humberto Garcia Pinales

March 28, 1929 – January 13, 2021

Humberto Garcia Pinales, was born March 28, 1929 in Martindale, TX to Rebecca and Evaristo Pinales and went to be with the Lord on January 13, 2021.  He was preceded in death by his father and mother, two sisters Anita and Carlota, and two brothers Sam and Ben Pinales, two sons Raymond Pinales and Michael Pinales, and their mother Esther Pinales.

Humberto grew up by humble means in San Marcos, TX and went as far as the fifth grade before dropping out of school. Having lost his father in 1938, he was forced to join his family in providing for his mother. Having to grow up fast without the guidance and direction of a loving father, at age of 17, he joined up with a group of migrant workers headed for Wisconsin in search of work. He ended up working at a canning facility outside of South Bend, IN. He stayed there for approximately two years before returning to Texas.

Humberto joined the Army in 1948 and proudly served a total of 31 years with 18 years in the artillery and earning the rank of Sergeant First Class. He served in both the Korean and Vietnam wars. During his last 13 years of service, he was a recruiter for the Army in Amarillo, TX where he became the first Selective Service Registrar in the State of Texas. He retired from the military in 1979. Shortly thereafter he became the one millionth member of Disabled American Veterans. Not being ready to lay back at home, he went back to school at TSTI, Amarillo branch, to further his skills in auto mechanics and auto body. He enjoyed this new venture so well, he excelled to the point he was asked to teach at the school after completing his training.  It wasn’t long till he was elevated to Instruction Administrator and later became Associate Dean of Economic Development. He must have liked it because he stayed TSTI for ten years before once again retiring for good.  He received numerous honors and awards in his career.

Humberto enjoyed his life to the fullest. The skills he learned at TSTI would have come in handy had he received them sooner for he had five boys that seemed to tear cars up faster than he could fix them! He enjoyed working with his hands and was skilled in carpentry. Without prior experience, he built the family home in San Marcos, TX back in the early 60’s. He had a real uncanny sense of knowing how things went together even without a schematic, but if he had one, he probably could have taken the Hoover Dam apart and put it back together!  He was a joy to many people and whether family, friend or stranger, if he sensed there was a need, he always wanted to help in whatever capacity he could.  His care and compassion were a reflection of the love and faith he had in our Lord, Jesus Christ, a relationship he established many years ago. He was referred to as “Sarge” or “Bert” and “Tio Beto” by those who knew and loved him. He married Flora Zamora Maggi in 1991 and lived in Panhandle, TX for 28 years.

He is survived by his wife of nearly 30 years Flora; sister Carmen Espinoza of San Marcos, TX; beloved sisters in-law Toni Brasher and Fabby Fritz of Panhandle, TX; sons Phillip and James of San Marcos, TX; David and wife Elaine of Amarillo, TX; stepdaughter Julie Maggi of Amarillo and stepson Richard Maggi of San Francisco. Eight grandchildren; Ashley of Eugene, OR; Carina, Deana, and Shannon of San Marcos, TX; Adam, Briana, Meagan and Skyler of Utah, and eleven great grandchildren with one on the way.

Memorial services in Amarillo and San Marcos, TX are currently set for a later date.