Santiago “Jimmy” García III, longtime Hispanic ministry leader for the Baptist General Convention of Texas and pastor, died Feb. 18. He was 76. He was born July 17, 1949. García was licensed to preach by Primera Iglesia Bautista of Del Rio in 1967 and ordained to the gospel ministry by Primera Iglesia Bautista of Miles in 1971. In the same year, he graduated from Howard Payne University with a Bachelor of Arts in Bible and psychology. He later earned a Master of Divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and completed additional graduate studies at Baylor University’s Truett Theological Seminary. In 2001, he received an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from Howard Payne University. García led Hispanic work for the BGCT for 18 years, working with churches, pastors, and leaders across Texas. Following his retirement from the convention, he served as pastor of Primera Iglesia Bautista Mexicana in Dallas from 2004 to 2007. Over the course of his ministry, he served as pastor of Iglesia Bautista Calvario in Fort Worth, Iglesia Bautista Calvario in Corsicana, and Iglesia Bautista Immanuel in Miles. He also served at First Baptist Church in Duncanville. In addition, he served as director of missions for the Del Rio-Uvalde Baptist Association and as associate director of missions for the San Antonio Baptist Association. García also invested in theological education. He served as an adjunct instructor at Dallas Baptist University and Mountain View College and lectured at Truett Theological Seminary and Baptist University of the Américas. He also served on the board of directors for BUA and Valley Baptist Academy. In 2018, he received the Dr. José Rivas Distinguished Service Award for his ministry leadership. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Dolores García; his children, Laura, Matthew, and Anna; and his grandchildren. Visitation will be Wednesday, March 4, at Laurel Land Funeral Home, 6300 S. R.L. Thornton Freeway in Dallas. from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m., followed by a funeral from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made to the Santiago and Delia García Scholarship Fund benefiting Howard Payne University students.

Santiago “Jimmy” García III, líder del ministerio hispano de Baptist General Convention of Texas y pastor durante muchos años, falleció el 18 de febrero. Tenía 76 años. Nació el 17 de julio de 1949. García obtuvo su licencia para predicar en la Primera Iglesia Bautista de Del Río en 1967 y fue ordenado al ministerio evangélico por la Primera Iglesia Bautista de Miles en 1971. Ese mismo año, se graduó de Howard Payne University con una Licenciatura en Biblia y Psicología. Posteriormente, obtuvo una Maestría en Divinidad de Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary y completó estudios de posgrado en Truett Theological Seminary de Baylor University. En 2001, recibió un Doctorado honorario en Divinidad de HPU. García dirigió el trabajo hispano de la BGCT durante 18 años, trabajando con iglesias, pastores y líderes en todo Texas. Tras su jubilación de la convención, se desempeñó como pastor de la Primera Iglesia Bautista Mexicana en Dallas de 2004 a 2007. A lo largo de su ministerio, se desempeñó como pastor de la Iglesia Bautista Calvario en Fort Worth, la Iglesia Bautista Calvario en Corsicana y la Iglesia Bautista Immanuel en Miles. También sirvió en la Primera Iglesia Bautista en Duncanville. Además, se desempeñó como director de misiones para Del Río-Uvalde Baptist Association y como director asociado de misiones para San Antonio Baptist Association. García también invirtió en la educación teológica. Se desempeñó como instructor adjunto en la Dallas Baptist University y Mountain View College y dio conferencias en Truett Theological Seminary y la Universidad Bautista de las Américas. También formó parte de la junta directiva de BUA y Valley Baptist Academy. En 2018, recibió el Premio al Servicio Distinguido Dr. José Rivas por su liderazgo ministerial. Le sobreviven su esposa de 54 años, Dolores García; sus hijos, Laura, Matthew y Anna; y sus nietos. El velatorio será el miércoles 4 de marzo en Laurel Land Funeral Home, 6300 S. R.L. Thornton Freeway en Dallas, de 9 a.m. a 10 a.m., seguido del funeral de 10 a.m. a 11 a.m. En lugar de flores, la familia ha solicitado que se hagan donaciones al Fondo de Becas Santiago y Delia García en beneficio de los estudiantes de Howard Payne University.

Felipe García, longtime pastor and prominent community member, died Jan. 28. He was 79. García was born Aug. 23, 1946, in Tamazunchale S.L.P., Mexico, to Francisco A. García Lazaro and Juana Lovaton Villedas. He attended the Mexican Baptist Bible Institute in San Antonio, where he graduated in 1974. He furthered his education at the Rio Grande Baptist Association, receiving his Pastoral Ministries Diploma in 1979. His first pastorate was Iglesia Bautista Nueva Vida from 1974 to 1977 in Liberal, Kan. He then was pastor of Iglesia Bautista La Nueva Jerusalem in San Benito, Texas, until 1982. He later served with Buckner Baptist Benevolence in Brownsville and Donna, before serving as pastor of Primera Iglesia Bautista Mexicana in Taylor for over 16 years. In later years, he led Iglesia Bautista Peniel in Eagle Pass and Iglesia Bautista Vida Nueva in Austin. His final pastoral role was at Iglesia Bautista Jarrell in Jarrell, where he served until 2026. Beyond the pulpit, García loved serving his community. He worked as a bus driver for Taylor Independent School District, was employed at Taylor Bedding Company, and offered spiritual guidance as a chaplain at Marketplace Chaplaincy and an alcohol and drug treatment center in Georgetown. García is survived by his wife, Maria Guadalupe García; his mother, Juana Lovaton Villedas; his siblings, Isidra, Joaquina, Elena, Concepción, and Fabian García Lovaton; his children, Carlos García, Noemi Moya and husband Martin Moya, and Rosa Melinda García; and his grandchildren, Devin and Ethan Pitts. He is preceded in death by his first spouse, Eunice Saenz García, and his father, Francisco A. García Lazaro. 

James Lawrence “Jim” Houser, missionary to Africa and Baylor University professor, died Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, at his home. He was 92. He was born Oct. 19, 1933, in Philadelphia, Pa., the third of four sons born to Myra and Delbert Henry Houser. After the family moved to Mesquite, Jim attended Mesquite High School, where he was active in sports. He later attended Baylor University, where he met Molly Alice Rogers. They married on Aug. 28, 1953, and were married 67 years when Molly died in Nov. 2020. Following Baylor, he earned a master’s in counseling from Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary, an additional degree from the University of Utah on a National Science Foundation grant, and then a master of education degree from Texas Wesleyan University in 1959. After hearing a missionary speak about their work in East Africa, he and his family began serving in many towns in Kenya and Tanzania. Jim and Molly left Africa in 1993 but continued their involvement in missions at the church and county level in Texas. During their post-Africa years, Jim was hired by Baylor University to teach Swahili, which he did for about 18 years. In July 2025, he moved to Missouri, where he married Carol Ann (Wallace) Brubeck, a former missionary in Tanzania. He was passionate about Africa and preaching, making at least ten return trips to Africa after leaving in 1993. He is survived by his wife, Carol; five children, Stacy Houser and wife Tami, Mona Entwistle and husband Dave, Bryan Houser, Scott Houser and wife Ana, and Bill Houser and wife Lisa; stepchildren, Dan Brubeck and wife Angela, Clint Brubeck and wife Ruth, Jessica Eisenhauer, Linda Brubeck, Maria Brubeck, and Mario Brubeck; three brothers, Charles, Don, and Paul Houser; 18 grandchildren, and 23 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and first wife, Molly Alice Rogers.

Mary Sue Kendall of Covington died Jan. 8 at age 97. Sue was born March 31, 1928, in Osceola to Wyatt Armstead and Jeffie Aline Burt. While working in the First National Bank of Grandview, she met her husband of 64 years, Joe Frank Kendall. During Joe’s Air Force career, they lived in such places as England and Rome, N.Y., serving churches wherever they lived. Upon Joe’s retirement, they returned and lived on their farm outside Covington just a mile away from where she was born. Sue was a faithful and dedicated member of the First Baptist Church of Covington, serving as the treasurer and leading a women’s Sunday school class for many years. Her Christian faith was her highest priority, and she firmly professed her deep belief. She was a prolific reader who enjoyed reading everything from the Bible to a good mystery. As for the Bible, she read it through completely every year. She made everyone feel welcomed and led her life with a servant’s heart like her Savior. Sue was preceded in death by her husband, Joe, and brothers, Roland and Frank Burt. She is survived by her sons, Joe Mark and wife Jacque of Shreveport, La., and Michael and wife Kwunjit of Southlake; her daughter Diann Kendall of Fort Worth; her four grandchildren, Kyle Kendall, Whitney Garmhausen and husband Geoff, Katria Kimble and husband Brandon, and Mica Kendall; her three great-grandchildren, Jack and Kendall Caroline Garmhausen and Wyatt Kimble; and her brother, Jeff Burt. Services will be held at First Baptist Church in Covington on Friday, Jan. 16, with the viewing at 10 a.m. and the funeral at 11 a.m.

Eloy Felan Jr, senior pastor of Primera Iglesia Bautista in Lubbock, died Jan. 2, at age 80. Born June 13, 1945, in Pearsall, Pastor Felan dedicated his life to sharing God’s love. After graduating from Wayland Baptist University, he began a ministry that spanned more than 51 years. Pastor Felan is remembered for his devotion to the church and deep love he held for his family. He and his wife, Lucia Felan, were married for 62 years. A man of leadership, humility, and strength, he touched many lives beyond the walls of the church. Beyond the ministry, he enjoyed playing golf, classic cars, hunting, racquetball, and fellowship with family and friends. Pastor Felan leaves behind a legacy of faith, compassion, service, and love. He is preceded in death by his son, David Felan; his parents, Eloy and Filomena Felan Sr.; and siblings, Ruth Garcia and Yolanda Ramirez. He is survived by his children, Eddie and Tonya Felan, Lori and Michael Parker, Rick and Maelynn Felan, Lisa Felan and Michael Rogers; 10 grandchildren, four great-grandchildren; as well as siblings, Petra Carranza, and Ysidro Felan; extended family; and dear friends.

Sergio Ramos, ministry leader and pillar of the Tyler County community, died Dec. 27 in Conroe. He was 82. He was born on March 26, 1943, in Tampico, Mexico, to Job and Ofelia Ramos. His proudest moment was becoming a U.S. citizen in 1970. Ramos, who had a passion for missions and church service, served as a deacon, choir member and missions team member and on the pastor search committee at First Baptist Church of Woodville. Ramos was also a member of the Texas Singing Men and served as music director for various churches in Tyler County for more than 40 years. For five decades, Ramos taught in the classroom and coached tennis. Ramos and his family, striving to live a life devoted to Christ, lived by a personal motto: “Remember who you are and who you represent.” Ramos was preceded in death by his brothers Homero and Juan. He is survived by his wife, Susan Ramos; daughter Stefanie Miller and her husband James; son, Stephen Ramos and his wife, Lauren; four siblings; four grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. Visitation with the Ramos family is scheduled from 5 p.m. to 8p.m. on Jan. 2 at First Baptist Church in Woodville. A memorial service is scheduled for 2 p.m. on Jan. 3 at First Baptist Church in Woodville. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be made to the Woodville First Baptist Church Missions Fund, 202 S. Charlton St., Woodville, TX 75979.

CORRECTION: The date of death was corrected from Dec. 7 to Dec. 27.

Doris Ann Tinker of Richardson, who served as executive associate to three Baptist General Convention of Texas executive directors, died Dec. 12. She was 92.

“Like a diamond, Doris Tinker’s life—fixed solidly in her deep faith in Christ, devotion to family and relation to friends—sparkled due to the many facets of her personality and character,” said William M. Pinson Jr., with whom she worked four and a half decades.

She was born May 24, 1933, in Jonesboro, Ark., to Jimmy and Lorena Rees. She expressed her deep faith in Christ through a lifetime of Christian service, while also caring for her family.

“Although she spent much of her life working outside the home, family was always the focus of her life,” Pinson said. “She often quoted her father, a Baptist deacon chair, about matters of Scripture and church.

“She cared for her mother with deep devotion. In her mother’s latter years, she visited her every day in her nursing home on the way to and from work.”

Nearly three decades at the Baptist Building

Doris Tinker worked more than a decade as the pastor’s secretary at First Baptist Church in Richardson. She served about three decades at the Baptist Building, working as executive associate to two BGCT executive directors during their entire time in that position—James Landes and Pinson. She also served Executive Director Charles Wade during a transitional time.

“Any person visiting the office was greeted by her with the same smile and words of welcome,” Pinson said.

In her role as executive associate, Tinker organized “a constant stream” of meetings, “keeping in mind the needs of each person,” Pinson recalled.

“Her abilities kept things running smoothly. She planned, organized, and guided conferences and meetings large and small with attention to the finest detail. She worked with the staff of the Baptist Building, hotels, conference centers, and various settings to make sure all worked well.

“At the annual meeting of the Baptist General Convention of Texas, with thousands of messengers and guests, she would walk through the facility before the convention sessions began to make sure everything was in order. And she did all of this with firmness but tact and courtesy.”

In retirement, she served another 25 years as director of communication and organization in the Texas Baptist Heritage Center as part of the executive director emeritus office.

‘Preferred to work in the background’

At the center, she helped work on 27 articles on Baptist beliefs and distinctive practices that were published in the Baptist Standard. She subsequently designed 19 leaflets based on those articles and Baptist Beliefs and Heritage, the book in which they were compiled along with other material.

She turned down the Texas Baptist Elder Statesman Award—now known as Texas Baptists’ Legacy Award “because it would bring too much attention to her,” Pinson recalled.

“She did not like the focus on her and preferred to work in the background without notice,” he said.

She was preceded in death by her brother, Buddy Rees, and her husband of nearly 65 years, B.W. Tinker.

She is survived by her son Greg Tinker and his wife Jennifer; granddaughter Stephanie Beazley and her husband Aaron Beazley; grandson Skyler Tinker and his wife Brittany; and three great-grandchildren: Jude Beazley, Esme Tinker and Callan Tinker.

A private graveside service is scheduled in December. A memorial service will be held at First Baptist Church in Richardson at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial donation can be made to HighGround Advisors for the Doris Tinker Endowment Fund (Fund 30119141), which benefits the First Baptist Church of Richardson youth ministry and Texans on Mission.

EDITOR’S NOTE: The first and sixth paragraphs were edited after the article originally was published to acknowledge that Doris Tinker served during a transitional period with BGCT Executive Director Charles Wade.

UPDATE: Information for the memorial service was added.