Our beloved father, grandfather, brother, and husband, Louie De La Cruz Garcia passed away on December 24, 2023 at the age of 94. Born in Fresno in 1929, he grew up in Las Deltas as one of eleven siblings.
During the Korean war, he displayed courage while serving as an artillery operator, dedicated to safeguarding and defending our nation.
After the war, he met his beautiful wife, Elvira. They were married in November 1954 and raised their two sons in Mendota.
While raising his sons, he worked for the City of Mendota, eventually becoming the public works director.
Louie also volunteered as a fireman and a post commander for the Veteran of Foreign Wars for a decade benefiting the Mendota and Firebaugh areas.
He enjoyed restoring his 1953 Ford truck, watching boxing, and cheering faithfully for the Raiders. He will be remembered for his hard work, sense of humor, and selfless nature to help others. Louie's legacy lives on in the hearts of those who shared his journey.
He is survived by his wife, Elvira, sons, George and Sammy Garcia, his grandchildren Sammy Garcia Jr., Susie Olivares, Vanessa Aguilar, Marissa Garcia, Sierra Negrete, George Garcia Jr., his great grandchildren Ayden Olivares, Aaden Garcia, Ava Garcia, Evan Olivares, Keegan Aguilar, Layla Olivares, Kaden Louie Aguilar, Kaleb Aguilar, Albert Jr. Negrete and his sister, Alice Orante.
He is preceded in death by his mother, Mariana De La Cruz, and his father Alfred Garcia.
Visitation service will be on January 8 at 6:00 pm at the Kerman Chapel. Funeral service will he held on January 9 at 10:00 am at the St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Kerman.
Serving as pallbearers are Sammy Garcia Jr., George Garcia Jr., Alvaro Olivares, Ayden Olivares, Evan Olivares, Walter Aguilar, Gilbert Orante and Aaden Garcia.
