My name is Albert I am Antoinette's fiance. I met Gerald, Hazel, and Marissa about seven to eight years ago, they're great people. I seen the love they had for each other. We live in New Mexico. When he passed away we were there and I seen the hurt in his eyes for the loss of his mother and the love he had for her. I know that god has called him home, he is now back with his mom now, and I hope Hazel and the family know that he will be looking down on you guys like a guardian angel and he is so happy right now with his family up above.

May you rejoice in the arms of our Lord Jesus for eternity. Thank you for the love, thank you for the lessons, the laughs, and home cooked meals.

Gerald has been my dad since I was nine years old. My sister Brandie was six years old. He taught us many lessons, he defended us at all times. At the beginning our relationships was shaky like all mixed families. But though the years we learned and appreciated each other. When both my sister and I got married, Gerald walked us down the isle like a proud father. He met out spouse's he had "the talk" with them. When we had our children he was our first visitor at the hospital. He was our kids grandpa, also known as Papo.When we needed a handy man at our house he always showed up with his newest gadgets to get the job done. He was a man of many talents when needed painter, landscaper. Certain longer a locksmith, a mover  and mechanic. Best of all he was a chef. Cooking for us was the way he showed his love. You couldn't come over to his house without a home cooked meal. Even if we were pressed for time on a so called diet. He wouldn't let you leave without eating. When we were done he had to hear the praise of how wonderful his food was/ After my husband passed, Gerald made himself available at every hour of the day. He tried to simply make my life easy as much as possible. He loved Juan like a son and openly expressed his loss. I want to thank him for loving my mom so dearly, for loving Brandie and I as your own and for being Papo to our children. You will live in our hearts until we are all together again.

I was never ready to say goodbye to someone I held so dear, if it were up to me papo dear I'd selfishly keep you here. I'm sitting here in my room, looking at your picture, wondering why you couldn't be apart of my future. But god has reason of his own, and plans I cannot know. Though it may not seem so my arms are empty, and my heart is filled with tears and grief. Uncontrollable tears stream down my face, while my heart beat starts to race. Yet if I could only see heaven I'd know you're happy there. I still needed you here, you were the one to make everything so clear. I never knew how hard it was to loose someone you love, until the day you went to heaven above. When you died apart of me died too, but I would never call you back when such great joy you share, so I'll trust you to gods everlasting care and even though I can;t see, I know you're up there watching over me. I miss you more and more everyday, and all I can do is pray. In my heart you shall forever remain.

Babe, 
As I write this lonely letter, I wonder if god let's you think of me at times... And if the love we shared together is still the way it use to be. Even though you're a thousand dreams between us, I need you by my side or I would lose my mind. I love you, and miss you so. I look at your picture like if you were still here with me. I cry everyday with a lonely and sad heart. Though we shared beautiful years together, memories are all I have left, yet I have to be strong. You have and always will be my rock. I know not to grieve for so long because the lord has you now. I know you're not far away. I may not be able to see you or touch you, but I need you so. Sometime I ask myself, "How can I go own without you?" You may not be here physically but you'll always and forever be in my heart. Don't you ever forget that.
Love always, your babe.

I was about 5 or 6 years old when we all moved in together in our very first home with Gerald and quickly bonding with him every evening after dinner while watching his crazy TV shows laying on the floor and watching my older sister washing dishes as I was the little spoiled one that wasn’t old enough to help yet. As the years went on and we grew more as a family Gerald would take us camping and would have us waking up at the crack of dawn to go fishing. I used to think it was gross at first because of the smell but then I grew to find it fascinating when I got to put the worm and little ball on the hook for Gerald before throwing it into the water. The best part was scaring my sister with it before I gave the hook back to Gerald. Not only was fishing fun but sitting at the camp fire enjoying all the great food as well. Speaking of food; that was Gerald’s and my mom’s favorite thing to do was cooking and our favorite thing was eating everything. Gerald always had to have beans and tortillas every night and sometimes my mom got tired of making tortillas so she and Gerald taught me how to make them. (Let me tell you, they were wired looking at first) and Gerald would always tell me….WHAT IS THAT????!!!! That’s not a circle that’s 1 big mess…and I would just laugh because even though they weren’t in a correct circle he couldn’t stop eating them either. As Gerald loved my tortillas he grew to love my sopapillas and said I was the only one that could make them the best just like my baking. Gerald could never stop eating my cakes, he was my biggest fan of my baking; and I was his biggest fan of his red chili. No one could make chili better than Gerald could not even my mom no matter how hard she tried. His chili will truly be missed!! I was 11yrs old when Gerald brought us all to Las Vegas, Nevada to live. I remember I was angry with him because I had my first little boy friend back home and I didn’t want to leave. Oh how foolish I was back then…I thank Gerald for making that move for us because he showed us a much better life here in Las Vegas then what we could ever have in Albuquerque,  New Mexico. Gerald taught us how to grow as women and mother’s as my mom did as well. Gerald showed us all how to be responsible at making choices for ourselves. He always said…NOTHING IS FOR FREE…WHAT YOU WANT IN LIFE, YOU HAVE TO WORK FOR IT TO COME TRUE…and that he always did. Gerald never took life for granted; he always lived to the fullest. Gerald was an awesome husband, father, grandfather and teacher. I picked Gerald to stand with my son when he got dedicated to the lord when he was a baby because I knew that we would always be in good hands and even though he’s not here in person he is here in spirit and in our hearts. I feel very blessed to have known Gerald and very fortunate to call him my dad! 

You will be much missed; I love you always and forever your daughter Brandie

I have known Gerald for about 7 years when he and Hazel bought the house next door. When we finally introduced ourselves...we seemed to hit it off well and started hanging out with one another in either his garage or mine. We would sit and converse while having a few cool ones or play darts. Who knew that 2 complete strangers would one day blossom into a wonderful friendship. Gerald and I had talked about many things in life...we talked about our families, our jobs, his bike, the Military, when is the next BBQ or Fish fry, heck we talked about everything!  I would imagine that Gerald is doing great up there in Heaven. He has probably already drove the Heavenly highways on his bike...played poker with the Angels...and had a couple of cool ones with our Lord!  All the time, while wearing that infectious smile across his face. As I sit in my garage now, it isn't the same without him there...but I know deep down that he is still around. Gerald wasn't just my neighbor...he was my Best Friend and I will miss him immensely. Till we meet again my friend...please have a cool one waiting for me!

Our family has been blessed by the wonderful friends and neighbors,Gerald,Hazel and their families have become. Even though our hearts are saddened loosing Gerald, we know that he is flying with the angels and smiling that unforgetable smile down on us. Hazel, please know that we are always here for you, anytime.
All our love,
Pete, Michele & Nick Valdezate

 Our sincere and deepest sympathy.
May God bless your family always.
Siempre Con Carino.
Lourdes,Apryl, Julia, Marissa, Dhamian Djiovan Baca Riquetti

Your memory will live on through your family and friends. We are very fortunate to have known and called you our friend.  
Our thoughts are with Gerald's family at this time of sadness.

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

Gerald was well liked by his co-workers and many aquaintances. He will be missed.

OBITUARY

Gerald "Papo" Garcia

2 December, 1954 – 26 May, 2011

Palm Northwest Mortuary & Cemetery

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