Arthur Garcia

Arthur Garcia entered eternal life on June 18, 2012, at home, surrounded by his loving family after a year-long struggle with cancer. He was born in Las Cruces, NM on December 1, 1948, to Ben and Viola Camunez Garcia. Art is survived by his wife of 40 years, Evelyn Bell Garcia; his sons and their wives, Benjie and Barbara Leyba Garcia of Albuquerque, NM; and Jacob and Nicole Romo Garcia of Maricopa, AZ. Other survivors include his grandchildren, Santiago, Matias, and Joaquin Garcia of Albuquerque, NM, and Aleah, Mariah, and Jacob, Jr., Garcia of Maricopa, AZ; his father, Ben Garcia of Las Cruces, NM; his sister, Joanne Garcia Skillman and husband Richard "Buzz" of Aiken, SC; his brother, Frederick "Ron" Garcia of Las Cruces, NM; his sister-in-law, Bonnie Brown Garcia of Oak Harbor, WA; his mother-in-law, Joyce Bell of Sun Lakes, AZ; sisters-in-law Marilyn and husband Ernie Garcia, of Sun Lakes, AZ, Carolyn Bell, of Sun Lakes, AZ and Sody and husband Jim Jones of Billings, MT, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and godchildren. Art was preceded in death by his mother, Viola Garcia and his brother, Lieutenant Commander, USN, Stephen A. Garcia. Art served in the New Mexico National Guard for twelve years, attaining the rank of Captain. He retired from Los Alamos National Laboratory after thirty-two years of service. Art and Evelyn lived in Santa Fe, NM, during these years where they reared their sons. Since retirement, they have made their home in Albuquerque. Art was a humble man known for his warm smile, his kindness to others, his generous spirit, his strong leadership, his sense of humor, the twinkle in his eye and above all, his love for and dedication to his family. He loved people, and loyalty to those he loved exemplified his strong character. He was a committed family man who loved life, adored his grandchildren, and was the best husband, father, son, brother, and friend anyone could ask for. A rosary will be held Sunday, June 24, 2012, at 6:00 p.m., at French - Lomas Chapel, 10500 Lomas Blvd. NE (Lomas and Eubank), Albuquerque, NM 87112. The family will receive visitors from 5:00 p.m. until the time of the rosary. The funeral mass will take place on Monday, June 25, 2012, at 11:00 a.m., at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, 1860 Griegos Road NW, Albuquerque, NM 87107. A memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m. at Immaculate Heart of Mary Cathedral in Las Cruces, NM, followed by committal at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens, also in Las Cruces, NM, on Wednesday, June 27, 2012. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society of New Mexico, 10501 Montgomery Blvd. NE #300, Albuquerque, NM 87111, or Sharing Down Syndrome Arizona Inc., PMB 273, 745 N. Gilbert Rd., Suite 124, Gilbert, AZ 85234.