Rick Garcia

Riquardo Garcia, 65, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, February 19, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. Riquardo ‘Rick’ was born on August 28, 1959, in Banquete, Texas to Candelario Garcia and Ernestina Herrera. He was raised in Dallas, Texas. Rick’s career was in transportation at Dallas Area Rapid Transit as a Training Supervisor for 36 years, teaching new drivers how to safely operate a bus. Following retirement, he continued in transportation as a Bus Operator safely driving children to and from school at Waxahachie ISD and Mansfield ISD.

He married Cynthia Rocha. Together, they share six children, ten grandchildren and one great-grandson. Rick loved the piney woods of East Texas, hunting in that area for many years. Additionally, Rick was known for his love of Old School/Funk music, consisting of Earth, Wind and Fire, Michael Jackson, Journey, Queen, Prince, Kool and the Gang, Sade and Morris Day. As much as he loved 80’s music, he also listened to Christian and gospel music daily to prepare for God’s Word and nurture his personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

He loved visiting with his family and friends and was the first to get up and dance at family gatherings. His greatest joy and passion were enjoying the laughter of his brothers, children and grandchildren. He was blessed to see a great-grandson. He loved dates with his grandchildren, taking granddaughters out for frozen yogurt, taking grandchildren to ride the Mule and four-wheelers in Palestine during spring break, watching his grandson play basketball, having lunch with them at school, watching his granddaughter dance and cheer. He also loved his regular lunch dates with his Tina.

Rick will be missed by countless friends, family and the neighbors he loved. He will always be remembered for the kindhearted man who always carried a smile and his music he shared with all his loved ones. He never hesitated to lend a hand to help others, literally replacing a pair of broken taped-up crutches carried by a homeless man for a pair of new ones. He delivered coats and blankets to the homeless in Dallas, frequently. In the last few years of his life, he drove a school bus to transport special-needs children to Mansfield schools. He referred to them as his babies. After he took ill and while still working, he would ask the Lord on a daily basis to let him feel well enough to deliver “his babies to school”. Did we mention how much he loved his truck! Recently, he transitioned from Harley motorcycles and Harley clothing to western boots, shirts and hats and looked amazing in western style.

He is preceded in death by his father, Candelario Garcia, and mother, Ernestina Herrera Garcia.

Rick is survived by his beloved wife of 25 years, Cynthia Rocha-Garcia; brothers, Candy Garcia (wife, Josie Garcia), Luis Garcia (wife, Maria Garcia), Rene Garcia (wife, Leticia Garcia), Daniel Garcia (wife, Carolyn Garcia), David Garcia (wife, Linda Garcia), Jerry Garcia (wife, Mari Garcia); children, Andrew Garcia (wife, Shantel Garcia), Rick Garcia (wife, Jesica Sanchez), Nick Garcia, Ernestina Garcia-Kemphukiew (husband, TK Kemphukiew), Kimberly Brumfield and Amanda Mitchell; grandchildren, Alexandria Garcia, Joseph Garcia, Alyssa Garcia, Serena Garcia, Andrew J. Garcia, Isabella Garcia, Gabriella Ontiveros McLaughlin (husband, Trevor McLaughlin), Elizabeth Ontiveros, Railey Hunter, and Serenity Pagan.To his grandchildren, he became Papa. Jayce Jasiah Garcia, great-grandson; and Zach Rose, godson; also leaves behind many aunts, uncles, cousins, nephews and nieces.

The staff at Moore Funeral Home encourages family and friends to express their fond memories, expressions of sympathy and additional condolences to the family of Rick Garcia by visiting www.moore-funeralhome.com.

In addition, if you are a Dallas Cowboy fan, he asked you to wear Dallas Cowboy attire.

In lieu of flowers, Rick asked you make donations to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, PO Box 1000, Dept 142, Memphis, TN 38148-0142; please provide your name and return address, as your gift will be listed in his honor.

A memorial service for Rick will be held Saturday, March 1, 2025 at 2:00 PM at Moore Bowen Road Funeral Home, 4216 S. Bowen Rd., Arlington, Texas 76016.