Praying for the soul of Garcia. Also praying for Kelly and Rayner!

It's hard to believe it's been a year! I've been glad to see you exploring the country as you process through your loss. Always in our prayers, Sherry

My stepbrother Steven passed away unexpectedly 2 days ago. None of us were ready to say goodbye to him. Some of the cherished memories I have is when my Dad, Viv and me traveled to Texas to pick up Steven and my 2 stepsisters Teri and Christina from their grandparents' home in Bay City and we all rode together  in the back seat of my Dad's car back home a long way to Chattanooga...and another time we had gone to the mountains with Dad and Viv when it had snowed, and Steven and I had found garbage can lids to slide down a hill that had snow and we had a blast doing that. I got a phone call from Dad early this week about the critical condition Steven was in. We all made prayers for him hoping he would pull through and recover, but his battle ended,  and God took him. My heart goes out to all of his family as we are all still trying to process this grief and loss. Rest in peace precious young brother. You will be forever missed and memories of you will be cherished. We will see you on the other side. 😭💙🙏

Steven was such a kind hearted soul. Always willing to help and with the biggest smile. He showed up at our home with his sisters and friends for a weekend and we had a blast cooking on the grille and playing games. Then when we were moving into our new home he helped us. I remember looking into the back of the Uhaul and Bubba was stretched out on the upper level exhausted but still had a wonderful smile. I'm sure he is resting in the loving arms of our Lord and has a pile of treasures he has accumulated from his selfless helping and giving to others. He was loved by so many and will be missed so much.

My Bubba would call me and get my recipe and then he would change it and it would turn out better.  Bubba was an awesome cook!   Some of our best memories were always in the kitchen cooking, eating and telling stories all together.   

Love Always, 
Sister/Chris

This is a poem written by my precious brother when he was a teenager. 

Death

Death to me is as scary as it sounds
The cold pale body in a casket being put in the ground
The tears, the joy, the laughter you’ve once had
It all ends and a second later everyone is sad
But once you think about it death is a great thing
You’re being carried through your after life by the King

Love,
Steven “Bubba” Garcia Jr.
March 9, 1996

Bubba loved life.  Knew no strangers. Always ready with a helping hand for anyone in need.  He was a natural comic and always had everyone around him laughing with his humor and funny antics. There was never a dull moment if he was around. He made everyone feel special and was always so considerate to others. In his home, he was the best host.  Always making sure everyone was comfortable and had what they needed or wanted.  He loved cooking for his family and was always ready to try a new recipe.  He was an incredible cook and he prepared all his meals with so much love. He was a people pleaser and he was the best of the best. 
Bubba was never short on friends.  Everyone was his best friend, yet he made each and every one feel extra special.  He not only made you feel that way about yourself, but that was the trademark of his heart.  He really felt and thought of each and everyone in his life as someone special.  To know him was to love him because if he knew you then it was all about the love. 
Like the saying goes, he threw kindness around like it was confetti.  We all love you and will miss you forever. Our lives will never be the same, the only comfort is all the wonderful memories you shared with each of us and left behind to keep a smile on our faces.  To your family, you were our whole universe..The  moon, the sun, and the air we breathe. Rest in peace sweet angel.

Love, 
Aunt Linda

Bubba, you brought joy and happiness into my life.  You’ll always have a special place in my heart. 

 I Love you so much,

Aunt Hopie 

Bubba, Garcia, Superman,
My Son, My Baby, 
Forever Loved 
Always, 
Mom

"The human mind is like the human body.  It can be wounded.  Sorrow is a wound.  It cuts deeply, but sorrow is a clean wound, and it will heal unless something gets in to the wound, such as bitterness, self pity, or resentment."

My Beloved Bubba.  I have no resentment, no self pity and no bitterness will you find in my soul.   What I have is an open wound deep in my heart.   

It will heal.  

I'll see you in all the beauty around me as you were so beautiful to me.  

Love, 

Great Aunt

Bubba was so funny he would make me laugh no matter the topic. Last time he was in Texas it was summer so it was so hot, and Bubba hated the heat, and so he was complaining about it, and I pointed out that he was wearing two shirts. He said he wasn’t, and I said you’re wearing a white shirt and a button up, that’s why you’re so hot. And he said no that’s not how it works, I said in the winter you wear layers and that’s what you’re wearing. He wouldn’t take no for an answer. It made me laugh so hard, he was so stubborn . 
Bubba you were my favorite comedian, I’ll always think of you when I laugh. I love you so much Bubba and will miss you forever. 
- Your little cousin Becky 

May Garcia rest in peace. I pray for Rayner and all the family. May God help us as we grieve for Garcia.   

I knew Garcia back when he and my son, Brandon Wood were good friends in their teen years.  I remember Garcia as a smiling, charismatic guy.  I liked him and I was glad Brandon had such a good group of friends.  Rest in Peace, Garcia.  You will be sorely missed by many.  

I worked with Steven. He was such a nice guy. His family are in my thoughts and prayers. 

I met Steven (who only allowed us to call him Garcia) at Bi-Lo in 1998.  I was a young misfit at 18 who had already been married 2 years with a 1 year-old-daughter.  I had recently been promoted to supervisor and had the privilege to meet Steven.  Steven was incredibly accepting, hard working, and had a quirky sense of humor that led to us becoming fast friends.  We made a connection with another employee, Patrick (aka Pat) and regularly would congregate at my house multiple times a week.  Steven routinely brought up existential questions (he loved so much), and we routinely argued over the merits of D.C. versus Marvel comics (him arguing the merits of Superman and me Spider-man).  Steven and I shared a quirky sense of humor and laughed at SNL skits, ridiculous movies, and Jack Handey books.  

Steven was one of the most loving, caring, sentimental, and amazing people I have ever met.  While I have subsequently moved across the U.S., Steven was a great friend and always tracked me down and stayed connected.  Steven was ecstatic after finding Kelly, and I distinctly recall his happiness at their wedding.  After he and Kelly welcomed Rayner into their lives, he had a new purpose.  Then, after Rayner’s birth, we never talked long without him expressing his boundless love of Rayner.    

In recent months, I never talked to Steven without him talking about how happy he was to find Jennifer and what a blessing she was in his life.  He shared how much he loved her and how lucky he was to have her in his life.  She was exactly what he needed at exactly the right time. 

I will never forget Steven, and I would not be the person I am today without him.  He was one of the most amazing, loving, caring, and passionate people I have ever known.  I only hope to continue our debate between D.C. and Marvel comics when I meet him again in the afterlife.  

- John Bradbury (aka Brad)

Viviana and Family,                                          So Sorry for your lost My Prayers go out to the Family.           Trena           

From the moment I met Garcia through Teri, I knew he was someone special to be around. He always had a smile on his face that could light up a room! He was kind and funny. I consider myself blessed to have wonderful memories from our teenage years together. I have one picture in a small frame from when we were around 16/17. Every time I have ever moved, it has made it's way out into the open & made me smile.
One of the last times I spoke to him, he had been watching an Avengers movie with his son. He was so blessed to spend that time with Rayner. He always said that he was his best friend and how proud he was to be his dad. I'm grateful to have had the privilege to know him. I will continue to pray for peace and comfort for his family. 

I have so many memories. I suppose our relationship could be considered friends as well as brother. We certainly held up our sibling rivalry! Always in good fun. I will always remember bungee jumping in Gatlinburg.. I was 17 so Bubba must have been 16...I tried to back out but he kept repeating no fear no fear...I took that jump and probably wouldn’t have without his encouragement. I love you Bubba. 

I have not seen or spoke to him in years but was probily one of the funniest people I knew in school.RIP 

When Kelly and I were roommates at UT, Gar was a constant presence. I'll never forget his antics when she had to sneak him in and out of our dorm room, or they way he kept us both up too late doing impressions of the "Ladies Man" from SNL, which were spot on. In our South Knox house, I am grateful for the times he cleaned my dishes and didn't complain when I ate the leftovers of whatever delicious thing he'd cooked for him and Kelly the night before. I remember Gar being the only dude at my baby shower for Vanna. I remember when Kelly's dad passed, and at Bob's funeral, Gar promised me and Mel he would see her through that tragedy, and he did. I remember his hospitality at house parties, and the way he made everyone feel welcome. I remember a man who gave my best friend a son who lights up her life. See you on the other side Gar. 

OBITUARY

Steven Garcia Jr.

June 18, 1982 – April 15, 2020

Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory & Florist-North Chapel and Hamilton Memorial Gardens

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