Our Ministries
30 Nov

To Celebrate a Life of Love: Captain Donald Prieto Garrido

October 16, 1927-November 21, 2021

Captain Donald Prieto Garrido (USNR) passed away on November 21, 2021, at the age of 94.

Donald was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, on October 16, 1927, to Velma (Prieto) Garrido and Salvador Garrido. He began his sea-bound career as a Merchant Marine at the age of 15 aboard the S.S. War Admiral. For his service during World War II and the Korean War, Donald was awarded various service medals. He rose to the rank of Captain with the U.S. Navy. He was awarded the Navy Meritorious Civilian Service Award for his participation in the rescue of the Italian Ship S.S. Tripolitania.

Donald was raised as a Master Mason in Zeredatha Lodge No. 131 in Jersey City, N.J. in 1952. During his 69 years of active Masonry, he served as Worshipful Master of Cibolo Lodge No. 151, presiding officer in all three York Rite Bodies, presiding officer in all four Scottish Rite Bodies, and Wolcott Foundation Trustee. He was decorated a 33rd degree Mason and elected to the rank of Grand Cross of the Court of Honour. He was a Past Potentate of Abou Saad Temple in the Canal Zone, Panama, and was very active in the High Twelve International. Donald received the Golden Trowel Award in 2019.

A job opportunity led Donald to the Republic of Panama and he called Panama home for most of his life. He rose to the position of Chief Pilot with the Panama Canal Commission and retired in 1994 after 32 years of service. Donald completed his education at Florida State University.

 Donald served as the Chairman of the Crippled and Burned Children’s Committee for Central and South America. He helped coordinate for hundreds of children from impoverished areas to receive prosthetics and burn treatment in Texas.

Donald and his wife, Lydia, retired in San Antonio, Texas. They enjoyed traveling, family time, good friends, and dim sum most Sundays.

Donald will always be remembered as the beloved husband of 51 years of Lydia Garrido; loving father of Darnella Behrens (Jürgen), Kira Fischer (Hans Peter), Lydia Robledo (Victor), and Ronald Garrido (Elizabeth); loyal brother of Wendy Rein, and Harold Pluche; proud grandfather “Papa” of Barbara Bohne, Viola Seibert, Helena Behrens, Matthias Kelle, Lorena Robledo, Joaquin Robledo, Aaron Garrido, Celeste Garrido, and Andrew Garrido; great-grandfather of Alexander Bohne, Juri Seibert, and Mira Seibert.

The family wishes to express loving gratitude towards Angel Estrada, Sarah Nieves, Margarita Alvarez, and Rhoda Tapawan for their compassionate caregiving.

A viewing for family and friends will be held at Porter Loring Mortuary North on December 13 from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m., followed by a rosary service.

A funeral Mass will be held at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 4201 De Zavala Rd, on December 14, at 11:30 a.m. Donald will be laid to rest at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery with military honors.

To honor his generous spirit, the family requests that donations be made in Donald’s name to the Shriner’s Hospital for Children at https://donate.lovetotherescue.org, in lieu of flowers.

Welcome to St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church