Opinion

Former S.A. anchor and TV watchdog dies at 65

Dan Garcia, a former anchor and consumer reporter in the '80s and '90s on San Antonio TV, died at 65 of congestive heart failure. Dan Garcia, a former anchor and consumer reporter in the '80s and '90s on San Antonio TV, died at 65 of congestive heart failure. Photo: Courtesy Photo: Courtesy Image 1 of / 27 Caption Close Former S.A. anchor and TV watchdog dies at 65 1 / 27 Back to Gallery

Dan Garcia, one of the first Latino anchors on San Antonio TV, died today of congestive heart failure. He was 65.

Garcia was a morning anchor on the local NBC affiliate — then KMOL, now WOAI — from 1983 to 1994 before heading to Houston for a consumer reporting job on KHOU-TV.

He and his air partner, Carol Cavazos, pulled admirable ratings for the early show — finishing No. 2 at the time behind KENS.

Garcia may be known best, however, for his tireless reporting on the station's consumer segment, "Call Four." An amiable man and fierce local watchdog, Garcia frequently earned praise from viewers for being so effective in solving their problems.

His cousin, Joe Vasquez, who also worked at San Antonio's NBC affiliate in the late '80s and '90s, first as an assignments editor, then as a reporter, described Garcia as a role model.

"He's a bright light — my inspiration for becoming a reporter. And I will miss him," said Vasquez, who has been a reporter at KPIX-TV in San Francisco for 12 years.

Garcia, who left Houston to become a news director in Wichita Falls, retired from the news business there. For the last few years before he died he worked as a funeral home director.

"He died at home, surrounded by family, including his daughter Katy Garcia, who continues his legacy in TV news as a newscast producer in Wichita Falls," Vasquez said.

jjakle@express-news.net