Ruben Garcia Obituary

Ignacio resident Ruben Eddie Garcia died Thursday, Oct. 27, 2011, at Mercy Regional Medical Center in Durango. He was 63. The cause of death is undetermined at this time.

Mr. Garcia was born to Ruben and Irene Garcia on Jan. 31, 1948, in Bayfield. He lived in Bayfield most of his life, but recently moved to the Southern Ute senior housing center in Ignacio, where he was closer to his daughters and other family.

Mr. Garcia graduated from Bayfield High School in 1966 and attended Western Technical College in Denver for one year.

In 1967, he entered the Army where he served 2½ tours as an engineer in the Vietnam War, stationed primarily in Ple Ku. Upon his discharge, Mr. Garcia held the rank of specialist 5, of which he was very proud, his family said.

On Dec. 26, 1970, he married Carmen "DD" Cordova at St. Ignatius Catholic Church in Ignacio. They divorced in 2002 after 32 years of marriage, but remained good friends.

Mr. Garcia worked as a heavy-equipment operator until 1985, when he formed his family-owned company, Groundworks.

"Eddie was a Catholic and was very proud of his 27 years of sobriety, his family said. "Eddie's main goal in life was helping others get their lives on the right track. He expressed his feelings through painting. Most of all, he was there for his daughters' life-changing experiences, always saying 'It is what it is, deal with it and move on.'"

Mr. Garcia coached women and men's softball for many years and loved the outdoors. Later in his life, he enjoyed three grandchildren, riding his Harley-Davidson and social gatherings.

Mr. Garcia is survived by his daughters Dawn Rock and Andrea Garcia, both of Ignacio; sisters Vicky Parrish of Bayfield and Carol Alexander of Durango; brothers Steven Garcia of Navajo Lake and Michael Garcia of Ignacio; and three grandchildren.

A rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2011, at St. Ignatius Catholic Church, 15449 Colorado Highway 172 in Ignacio. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 3, 2011, also at St. Ignatius. The Rev. Douglas Hunt will be the celebrant. Burial of cremated remains will take place afterward at Crestview Cemetery, near the intersection of U.S. Highway 160 and Highway 172.