Alfred Garcia

Alfred Garcia passed away at his home in Greer on Wednesday, June 1st, 2022 at the age of ninety. A native of Oaxaca, Mexico, he emigrated to the U.S. in 1954, quickly becoming an American citizen and joining the Air Force.

Despite being raised in poverty and abuse and having little formal education, he graduated from what was then North Greenville Junior College, Furman University, and obtained a graduate degree from the University of South Carolina. He taught Spanish and English at Greer High School and retired from Greenville Technical College before being lured back to continue teaching at several upstate universities.

Alfred conducted choirs at various churches over the years and was often asked to display his beautiful tenor singing voice.

A self-described “tennis nut”, he was competing in and often winning amateur tournaments well into his seventies.
He loved language and learning, had a great sense of humor, a kind and generous heart, and was proud to be an American in the way that only an immigrant can be.

He is survived by Ellen, his adored wife of sixty-one years, his three children, David, Lorie Garcia Gibson, and Philip, six grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren (so far). He loved his family very much and told them so often. “I love you” were his last words.