George Thomas “Tommy” Garsea, 74, of Port Arthur, Texas passed away Saturday, January 29, 2022. George was born June 28, 1947, in Port Arthur, Texas to the late James Land Garsea and Juanita Hernandez Garsea.
George proudly served his country in the United States Navy. He was an enlisted four year Vietnam Veteran. George attained a rank of MR2 while serving on the USS Constellation CV-64 aircraft carrier. After his military career, he began to work for Neches Butane as a machinist, where all of his friends and co-workers knew him as “Garbone.” He retired in 2006 after thirty-six years of service. He was a member of St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in Nederland, and an ACTS Brother. George served as a Eucharistic Minister for many years while attending St. Peters Catholic Church. He had the honor and blessing to serve at Pope John Paul II’s Mass Celebration in San Antonio, Texas in 1987. George had many hobbies. He was a cyclist for 14 years with the Road Dogs Cyclist Club. He enjoyed listening to traditional country music, and it was his dream to one day master the steel guitar. George was a man that could fix anything. Even when he had an ongoing project of his own, George never hesitated to offer a helping hand to anyone in need. Everyone in the Ridgecrest neighborhood of LaBelle knew that if they needed advice or a tool; go see “Mr. George.” He had a deep love for all his animals, but his dogs; Miss Molly and Lucy, held a special place in his heart. George was a loving husband, father, brother, friend; and “Pee Paw.” He was a kind and generous soul who never met a stranger. George was full of love and life, and “the essence of who he was, left an impression on everyone he met.” He will be greatly missed by all that loved and knew him.
George is survived by his loving wife of fifty-one years, Scarlett Garsea; son Chris Garsea and wife Stephanie of Nederland; children Zachary and Alyssa; son Brandon Garsea and his wife, Mandi of Port Neches; children Preslie and Joshua; his brother, Richard Garsea and his wife Kathleen of Dallas; his sister, Sandra Garsea-Broussard of Port Arthur; his brother-in-laws, Rafael Rivero Munoz and his wife, Nelly of Caracas, Venezuela; Asdrubal Rivero Munoz of Caracas, Venezuela; his favorite aunt, Theresa Saenz of Nederland; and numerous, loving nieces, nephews, cousins, family members and friends. He is preceded in death by his parents; and his brothers, James “Jim” Garsea, Jr., Roy “Blackie” Garcia, and Robert Eugene “Red” Garsea.
A gathering of family and friends will be held at Melancon’s Funeral Home in Nederland, Texas on Tuesday, February 1, 2022, from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., with a rosary to be recited at 6:00 p.m. by Deacon Ivan Watson. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in Nederland, Texas on Wednesday, February 2, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. with Interment to follow at Greenlawn Memorial Park in Groves, Texas.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Catholic Charities of Southeast Texas Hospitality Center, or the Tunnel of Towers Foundation; which builds mortgage free homes for veterans and first responders who have suffered catastrophic disabling injuries.