
Primitivo Garcia
Primitivo (Tivo) Garcia was the first local Hispanic hero in Kansas City, MO. The governor of Missouri, Warren Hearnes, declared him an honorary citizen of the state as well as declaring December 1st Primitivo Garcia Day in Kansas City, Missouri.
The Carnegie Hero Fund Commission awarded him with a Carnegie Medal in recognition of an outstanding act of heroism, the Missouri House of Representatives granted him “posthumous American citizenship”.
On April 20, 1993 the Kansas City School Board named the New West Magnet School as the Primitivo Garcia World Language School. Today they are simply Primitivo Garcia Elementary, the only school building in Kansas City named after a Latino.
Tivo’s spirit lives on in the school walls, in the community and in the people he touches even today with his legacy.
The mission of the Memory of Primitivo Garcia Committee is to inspire Hispanic youth and enable success through scholarships for the children of foreign born.
The purpose of the Memory of Primitivo Garcia Committee is to promote the memory of Primitivo Garcia to ensure the heroic legacy of a Kansas City hero and to engage the community to provide scholarships for the children of foreign born.
The vision of the Memory of Primitivo Garcia Committee is a Kansas City Hispanic community that remembers Primitivo Garcia’s heroic actions and his legacy continues through the Primitivo Garcia Elementary School.
You are invited to join us in the Primitivo Garcia 50th Year Memorial on Saturday, November 25th at 11 am at the Primitivo Garcia Elementary School in Kansas City, MO.


Our goal, as a family, has always been to honor Tivo’s legacy as a Kansas City Hero, to share his story that he may never be forgotten and continue to inspire others to follow in his footsteps and be a hero in their own daily life.
Monica Garcia SaenzAn Interview with Joe Arce on the History of Primitivo Garcia
The Garcia family is extremely grateful to Joe Arce and all of his hard work throughout the years as well as his contributions in sharing the legacy of our beloved Primitivo Garcia. 25 years ago he did a 2 part televised story on Fox 4 News and brought...
read more50 years later, celebrating Tivo Garcia’s life
Edie R. Lambert A half-century ago this month, a young immigrant valiantly saved two lives. It cost him his own. In observance of the 50th anniversary of his selfless gallantry, Kansas Citians will celebrate his life at the school named for him on the...
read moreImmigrant hero remembered in upcoming celebration
November 9, 2017 Jesus Lopez-Gomez Slain Mexican savior Primitivo “Tivo” Garcia will be honored at a celebration later this month. On the 50th anniversary of his murder, the Primitivo Garcia Elementary School will host a festival remembering the man....
read more
816-914-6654 or 913-558-3638
info@primitivogarcia.org
PrimitivoGarcia.org
Upcoming Events
Assembly at Primitivo Garcia (Tuesday, November 21) – Elementary School
Primitivo Garcia Memorial (Saturday, November 25) – Elementary School