The father of Veronica A. Garcia, candidate for Justice of the Peace, Precinct 1-Place 1, passed away on October 12, 2007. Valentin Garcia, 83, was called upon by the Lord after suffering from an unforeseen liver disease which was diagnosed on or about late June 2007. Mr. Garcia had always been a very healthy man throughout his lifetime, until he was hospitalized for the first time in his life on July 4, 2007. On August 4, 2007, Valentin Garcia was hospitalized for a third time due to his progressing liver condition causing many other health complications. He was later transferred to the Laredo Specialty Hospital for more specialized treatment; however, there was no cure for him due to his advanced age, inability to resist a major surgery or other alternative means of treatment that would extend his life. Valentin Garcia was happily married to Tomasita Garcia for 51 years. Valentin Garcia resided most of his life in Indiana and retired from Inland Steel Company located in East Chicago, Indiana. He worked for the aforementioned steel company for approximately 35 years. Mr. Garcia was survived by his spouse, Tomasita Garcia; two sons, Valentin (Alma) Garcia Jr. and Esequiel Garcia, daughter Veronica A. Garcia, and three grandchildren Valentin Garcia III, Iris and Jessica Garcia, who all reside in Laredo, Texas. Mr. Garcia’s is also survived by two brothers and sisters, Alberto Garcia of Hammond, Indiana; Daniel Garcia of Reynosa, Tamaulipas; Hortencia Juarez of Harlingen, Texas and Genoveva Hinojosa of Kingsville, Texas. Valentin Garcia will be greatly missed. Veronica A. Garcia would like to thank and extend her appreciation to all the medical and non-medical staff at the Laredo Specialty Hospital for their support and positive encouragement in making my father feel comfortable during his stay at the hospital. In addition, I would like to thank Dr. Armando R. Hinojosa for his sincere concern and efforts to help my father’s condition be as painless as possible during his last days. Visitation will be Sunday, October 14, 2007 from 3pm to 9pm at Nieto-Dickey Funeral Home with a prayer service in the evening. Funeral services will be Monday, October 15, 2007. A chapel service will be held at 10am at Nieto-Dickey Funeral Home. Interment will follow to the Calvary Catholic Cemetery. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Nieto-Dickey Funeral Home, 802 Coke St.