Lupe Garcia was born in Robstown, Texas, a small town outside of Corpus Christi, Texas. He has 3 brothers and a fraternal twin sister. Lupe’s siblings were the only Hispanics at his elementary school. Since he only spoke Spanish at home, his English skills were very poor. He never spoke in school until he was in the 6th grade after a fellow classmate in the 6th grade called him names in class, assuming that Lupe was mute. Angered, Lupe spoke up right then and there and has not stopped talking since.
Lupe's means to make a change in his life was by music. He joined the school band and played the drums because this was the only school instrument that didn't require the student to purchase or rent. By at the end of the 8th grade he became so impressed by the saxophone that he taught himself to play it. That year, he auditioned, and much to the surprise of the band director, Lupe took first chair, going on to win ”All State" medals throughout his years in school. He obtained a full scholarship to the University of Houston playing not only in the marching band but was also in the jazz band.
Upon graduation, he took a job teaching band with arguably the worst band program in the state of Texas, of which none of the students could march or play music. Expressing his belief in them, Lupe created such pride in these students that they thought they could conquer the world. Lupe's enthusiasm, teaching abilities and musical talent grew that little band program of 50 students to a marching band of over 375 students and expanded the entire music program number to well over 1,500 students, placing first in all their division competitions and 1st or 2nd for the entire state.
After attending his grandmother's funeral and during all this growth and excitement with his music program, Lupe saw a need in the funeral business for a Hispanic funeral home. After some serious nudging from God, he decided to quit his job and go back to school and become a funeral director. His wife, Yolanda, thinking he had had a nervous breakdown, literally cried for 3 months as they made their decision to pack up everything and start a new life in Dallas.
In 1979, Lupe Garcia acquired a historic building in an area of Oak Cliff known today as Bishop Arts. The building, a landmark since 1920, served as one of Dallas’ oldest funeral homes. Lupe was inspired to continue their legacy of caring for those in their greatest time of need. He went on to further this mission by opening two additional funeral home locations under the Calvary Funeral Home brand in Pleasant Grove in 1984 and Irving, Texas in 1989. Together, this family of funeral homes has one mission and that is to be:
Large enough to serve... small enough to care.
Dallas has been very good for the Garcias. In his usual manner, Lupe threw himself into his new career and the Dallas community. He has served on the boards of too many organizations to mention. This almost became his full time job until his wife helped him understand his real job description. However, among his favorites have been The Greater Dallas Chamber of Commerce, the Dallas Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, The U.S.Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, serving as the Chairman of the Board, and serving of the boards of the State Fair of Texas, and Children’s Medical Center.