Gary Lyn Placencia

Gary, the first born son of Marcelo G. and Irene D. Placencia was born on January 15, 1955 in Hemet, California. He started life on the Soboba Indian Reservation, but his parents soon moved to Colton, California. He graduated as a Colton High School YellowJacket in 1973 playing football and soccer. He attended UCR for a short period before returning back to Soboba Indian Reservation. Worked for the city of Beaumont from 1977 until his retirement in 2015. Married Tina Fite 1980. They loved to travel and enjoyed a long and fruitful life together until her passing in 2021 due to covid. Music and sports were a driving factor in his life. He played fast pitch and slow pitch softball, coaches the Soboba Women’s fast pitch team for many years. He enjoyed playing Native chair volleyball. It was a new passion.

He was a man of few words, and when he spoke, you listened. He was admired and respected by all who knew him.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Marcelo and Irene, sister Lynell Maria and brother Franko Gonzales.

He is survived by his brothers Glen (Ronda), Gordon (Juanita) and Patrick (Tara). Sisters Joyce, Lois, Doris, Maria and sister in law Patti Gonzalez. Children from a prior marriage Shelly and Russ (Bobbie) Weiss and a son Gary II. He had 6 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren.

Visitation will be held at 5pm-9pm, with a rosary at 7pm on Tuesday April 15, 2025 at Miller-Jones 175 W San Jacinto, Ca 92583. Funeral mass on Wednesday, April 16th from 10-11am at St. Joseph Catholic Church followed by a burial at the Soboba Indian Reservation cemetery.