OBITUARY: AURELIO G. GARCIA
OBITUARY: AURELIO G. GARCIA News Staff Tue, 09/10/2024 - 12:48 Subheader body July 27, 1930 — September 8, 2024 In-page image(s) X Body USN AVCM Ret. Aurelio G. Garcia, a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and proud Veteran of the United States Navy, went Home to the Almighty Father from natural causes. He was surrounded by his daughter Debra and son-in-law Lonnie Cross.Aurelio, 94, was known by friends as “Joe” and by family and close friends as “Grelie.” He was born in Cuyler, Texas to Jose and Angela Garcia.As the oldest child of five, Grelie spent his youth growing up in Pampa and graduated from Pampa High School in 1950. December 1950 Grelie eagerly joined the Navy. After boot camp, Grelie was transferred to the USS Saint Paul two days before it departed Yokosuka, Japan for the states. Grelie’s first overseas experience was what he could see of Japan while marching from the transport ship to the Saint Paul.It was while serving on the Saint Paul that Grelie began writing Josephine Ortega who lived in Canadian, Texas. A mutual friend set the pen pals up writing to each other. The Saint Paul was stationed in Long Beach CA, and one Friday Grelie and friends from neighboring Texas towns went home to Amarillo. They drove the 1150 miles to spend a few hours then returned back in time for roll call Monday morning. Grelie took the opportunity to visit and meet “Josie” in person. Upon the ship’s return to Long Beach early in September, Grelie went back to Texas and married his first and last love, Josie.In 1954 they returned to Texas and Grelie went to work for the Santa Fe Railroad joining his father, grandfather, uncles, and in-laws. Grelie worked as a telegraph operator but phones were in use so he did office work and sold passenger tickets.In 1958 Grelie reenlisted to serve a beloved career in the USN, retiring in January 1981 During their 66 years of marriage, Grelie and Josie followed his career and lived in Washington, California, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Pennsylvania, Florida, Virginia, and their beloved Texas.Grelie’s travels with the USN took him to Hawaii, Japan, China, Korea, Philippines, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Germany, France, Scotland, Yugoslavia, England, Egypt, Cuba, and Ireland.Grelie’s nine-month deployments were on the USS Saint Paul, USS Coral Sea, USS Oriskany, USS Hancock, and the USS Kennedy.It was while serving on the USS Saint Paul, that on July 27, 1953, Grelie’s 23rd birthday, the Korean War ended. The Saint Paul was the ship that fired the last round and Grelie was the computer operator that aimed the gun.Grelie’s last duty station brought him to Virginia Beach in 1974. He transferred to Attack Squadron 34 as the Command Master Chief.USN Awards Grelie received were the Navy Commendation Medal for Leadership and Supervisory Performance, (highest non-combat award), Navy Unit Commendation, National Defense Service, Meritorious Unit Commendation, United Nations Service, Korean Service, Korean Presidential Unit, China Service, Vietnam Campaign, Vietnam Service, Armed Forces Expeditionary, and Sea Service Deployment.Grelie went to work at Q.E.D. Systems in November 1981, for a “couple of years” to get used to civilian life.” Grelie stayed with Q.E.D. for sixteen years before retiring in December 1998. Grelie traveled abroad to Spain, Brazil, Hawaii, Rio de Janeiro, and the Bahamas. Q.E.D. also sent him on work assignments to Florida, California, Philadelphia, and Washinton.Grelie was predeceased by his loving wife of 66 years, Josie; his brother Ines Garcia; and his sister Rachel Cole.Left to carry his legacy are his daughters, Maria Floyd (Tom), and Debra Cross (Lonnie). Grelie also leaves his legacy to Grandchildren Lisa Garcia Ruwaldt, Toby Garcia Ruwaldt, Adam Garcia Cross (Julie), Tyler Garcia Cross (Lorlie), Vincent Garcia Cross (Shaelin), and Matthew Floyd; Great Grandchildren Courtney Baker, Nolan Cross, Josie Cross, Declan Cross, Cade Cross, and Aurelia Cross, his namesake. He also leaves two sisters and a brother-in-law, Amelia Wariner, John and Vicky Trout.As Grelie would often tell family members in Texas while visiting, “Josie and I have a family we have always loved and been proud of. We have been fortunate to have had pretty good health. We’ve been places we never thought of, and seen things we never knew of. We are both content with what we have seen, where we have been, and what we have done. Not bad for two kids from the Panhandle of Texas!”In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Saint Gregory the Great Catholic Church in memory of A.G. Garcia. Tags Aurelio G. Garcia Pampa Canadian Cuyler Virginia Obituari
MC Caliman
July 27, 1930 — September 8, 2024
USN AVCM Ret. Aurelio G. Garcia, a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and proud Veteran of the United States Navy, went Home to the Almighty Father from natural causes. He was surrounded by his daughter Debra and son-in-law Lonnie Cross.
Aurelio, 94, was known by friends as “Joe” and by family and close friends as “Grelie.” He was born in Cuyler, Texas to Jose and Angela Garcia.
As the oldest child of five, Grelie spent his youth growing up in Pampa and graduated from Pampa High School in 1950. December 1950 Grelie eagerly joined the Navy. After boot camp, Grelie was transferred to the USS Saint Paul two days before it departed Yokosuka, Japan for the states. Grelie’s first overseas experience was what he could see of Japan while marching from the transport ship to the Saint Paul.
It was while serving on the Saint Paul that Grelie began writing Josephine Ortega who lived in Canadian, Texas. A mutual friend set the pen pals up writing to each other. The Saint Paul was stationed in Long Beach CA, and one Friday Grelie and friends from neighboring Texas towns went home to Amarillo. They drove the 1150 miles to spend a few hours then returned back in time for roll call Monday morning. Grelie took the opportunity to visit and meet “Josie” in person. Upon the ship’s return to Long Beach early in September, Grelie went back to Texas and married his first and last love, Josie.
In 1954 they returned to Texas and Grelie went to work for the Santa Fe Railroad joining his father, grandfather, uncles, and in-laws. Grelie worked as a telegraph operator but phones were in use so he did office work and sold passenger tickets.
In 1958 Grelie reenlisted to serve a beloved career in the USN, retiring in January 1981 During their 66 years of marriage, Grelie and Josie followed his career and lived in Washington, California, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Pennsylvania, Florida, Virginia, and their beloved Texas.
Grelie’s travels with the USN took him to Hawaii, Japan, China, Korea, Philippines, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Germany, France, Scotland, Yugoslavia, England, Egypt, Cuba, and Ireland.
Grelie’s nine-month deployments were on the USS Saint Paul, USS Coral Sea, USS Oriskany, USS Hancock, and the USS Kennedy.
It was while serving on the USS Saint Paul, that on July 27, 1953, Grelie’s 23rd birthday, the Korean War ended. The Saint Paul was the ship that fired the last round and Grelie was the computer operator that aimed the gun.
Grelie’s last duty station brought him to Virginia Beach in 1974. He transferred to Attack Squadron 34 as the Command Master Chief.
USN Awards Grelie received were the Navy Commendation Medal for Leadership and Supervisory Performance, (highest non-combat award), Navy Unit Commendation, National Defense Service, Meritorious Unit Commendation, United Nations Service, Korean Service, Korean Presidential Unit, China Service, Vietnam Campaign, Vietnam Service, Armed Forces Expeditionary, and Sea Service Deployment.
Grelie went to work at Q.E.D. Systems in November 1981, for a “couple of years” to get used to civilian life.” Grelie stayed with Q.E.D. for sixteen years before retiring in December 1998. Grelie traveled abroad to Spain, Brazil, Hawaii, Rio de Janeiro, and the Bahamas. Q.E.D. also sent him on work assignments to Florida, California, Philadelphia, and Washinton.
Grelie was predeceased by his loving wife of 66 years, Josie; his brother Ines Garcia; and his sister Rachel Cole.
Left to carry his legacy are his daughters, Maria Floyd (Tom), and Debra Cross (Lonnie). Grelie also leaves his legacy to Grandchildren Lisa Garcia Ruwaldt, Toby Garcia Ruwaldt, Adam Garcia Cross (Julie), Tyler Garcia Cross (Lorlie), Vincent Garcia Cross (Shaelin), and Matthew Floyd; Great Grandchildren Courtney Baker, Nolan Cross, Josie Cross, Declan Cross, Cade Cross, and Aurelia Cross, his namesake. He also leaves two sisters and a brother-in-law, Amelia Wariner, John and Vicky Trout.
As Grelie would often tell family members in Texas while visiting, “Josie and I have a family we have always loved and been proud of. We have been fortunate to have had pretty good health. We’ve been places we never thought of, and seen things we never knew of. We are both content with what we have seen, where we have been, and what we have done. Not bad for two kids from the Panhandle of Texas!”
In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Saint Gregory the Great Catholic Church in memory of A.G. Garcia.
