The husband of one of the teachers slain in the murderous elementary school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, has suffered a fatal heart attack, according to a news report.
“Joe Garcia, the husband of Irma Garcia, one of two teachers shot and killed in Uvalde, TX on Tuesday, has reportedly suffered a fatal heart attack,” Ernie Zuniga of KABB San Antonio Fox reported. “Joe and Irma were high school sweethearts and married 24 years. They leave behind four children.”
Joe Garcia, the husband of Irma Garcia, one of two teachers shot and killed in Uvalde, TX on Tuesday, has reportedly suffered a fatal heart attack. Joe and Irma were high school sweethearts and married 24 years. They leave behind four children. pic.twitter.com/Rlk0M2B8nR
— Ernie Zuniga (@Ernie_Zuniga) May 26, 2022
Joe and Irma Garcia had been married for 24 years. She had taught at Robb Elementary for 23 years and nominated as a teacher of the year by the school district in 2019.
EXTREMELY heartbreaking and come with deep sorrow to say that my Tia Irma’s husband Joe Garcia has passed away due to grief, i truly am at a loss for words for how we are all feeling, PLEASE PRAY FOR OUR FAMILY, God have mercy on us, this isn’t easy pic.twitter.com/GlUSOutRVV
— john martinez ❤️🔥 (@fuhknjo) May 26, 2022
“Irma Garcia, a teacher of more than two decades, was known as a steadfast optimist in her family,” The New York Times reported after her death. “She would crack jokes at gatherings in Uvalde, Texas, sing her favorite classic rock tunes during parties and help her nephew, John Martinez, with homework.”
“She’s always been optimistic about everything, and just so loving with the people in her life,” Martinez, 21, stated. He added, that when authorities discovered his aunt’s body, they “found her body there, embracing children in her arms pretty much until her last breath.”
His aunt was “like a second mom” to her nephews and students, Martinez said, “She brings a joy and a light to the room.”
“My tia did not make it, she sacrificed herself protecting the kids in her classroom, i beg of you to keep my family including all of her family in y’all’s prayers , IRMA GARCIA IS HER NAME and she died a HERO. she was loved by many and will truly be missed,” he added on Twitter.
My tia did not make it, she sacrificed herself protecting the kids in her classroom, i beg of you to keep my family including all of her family in y’all’s prayers , IRMA GARCIA IS HER NAME and she died a HERO. she was loved by many and will truly be missed. pic.twitter.com/2XpdJA0q8x
— john martinez ❤️🔥 (@fuhknjo) May 25, 2022
A fourth-grade survivor of the massacre said that Garcia and fellow teacher Eva Mireles, tried to protect the children. “They were nice teachers. They went in front of my classmates to help, to save them.” he said.