This is the story of Reverend Nehemias Garcia.
First and foremost, he was a man of God. He was a man of great adventure and an avid learner. However, he considered his greatest achievement to be his family. He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather who leaves behind a legacy of cherished memories of a life well lived and loved.
Nehemias was born on Nov. 6, 1921, the fifth of seven children to Jose Angel and Ysadora Garcia. Born outside of Tapachula , Chiapas, Mexico, he grew up on a large ranch and spent his early days enjoying the outdoors, riding bareback on horses, and eating the sugar cane that was found on his father’s ranch. His family was very involved in the church and Nehemias grew to love the Lord.
He left home at the age of 13 to work for an attorney in the city of Tapachula. He developed an interest for law. In September of 1944 he began studies at the Presbyterian Theological Seminary of Mexico and concurrently, law at The National Autonomous University of Mexico, both in Mexico City. He was ordained a Presbyterian minister in March 6, 1949. He then married on August 8, 1951 the love of his life, Emma Medellin, the beautiful daughter of another Presbyterian minister in Orizaba, Vera Cruz.
After being in ministry in Mexico, Nehemias studied at the Austin Theological Seminary for two years and in 1956, was called to pastor a Presbyterian Church in Del Rio, Texas. This began a lifelong adventure in an amazing, new country. Over the life of his ministry in the United States, Nehemias pastored several Spanish- speaking churches throughout Texas, Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles. During the 1970s, he was also involved in ministry to Spanish-speaking migrants in Ohio.
Throughout his life Nehemias had a compassion for the less fortunate and believed in helping those who had little or no voice. He marched with Rev. Ralph Abernathy in the Poor People’s March in D.C. in 1967 and attended Martin Luther King’s funeral in April of 1968.
He had a strong desire for the outdoors and for travel stemming from his childhood, returning to his beloved Mexico with his entire family on a yearly basis. A devastating stroke in 1988 left him half paralyzed but did not deter his travels as he and his wife, Emma, would travel to Israel, Spain, various US cities and Mexico City where they were advisors at the seminary where he originally studied.
After retiring from church ministry of 50 years in 1990, Nehemias and Emma returned to Dayton, Ohio where they would spend time with their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. His ministry, however, never ended as he, despite his significant physical disabilities, continued to guest preach, baptize, marry his children and grandchildren, and pray for any and all those in need. His legacy will be remembered for his love of life, family and most of all his Savior Jesus Christ.
He is survived by his spouse of 67 years, Emma Medellin Garcia; his children George Nehemias Garcia (Janet Serda), Roger Garcia, Emma Elizabeth Fisco (James), David Albert Garcia (Dru Gallucci); twelve grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Family will receive friends 9:30AM to 11:30AM Friday, August 17, 2018 at the Fairmont Presbyterian Church 3705 Far Hills Ave, Kettering, Ohio 45429; where service will be held 11:30AM Friday. Burial will follow in the David's Cemetery.
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