Frank Garcia Lizarraga, 98, passed away peacefully surrounded by his children, at his Tempe home. Frank was born to Catalina Garcia and Rafael Zuniga Lizarraga, in Tucson in 1923. He was the youngest of seven and later orphaned as a young boy during the great depression. As a 17-year-old he worked at the Pioneer Hotel, and Midvale Farms both in the Tucson area. He married at age 19 and sixteen months later he left to serve in WW2. He served with the US Army 71st Infantry (Campaign: Rhineland-Central Europe), liberating several German Nazi detainment camps. He spoke several different languages including Spanish, German and French from his time in Europe. He returned from Europe in 1946 to raise his family in Tempe. He attended Arizona State College (now ASU). He had many occupations and hobbies during his life; Master Carpenter, US Postal Service mail carrier and a Rural Metro Fireman and then retired from the City of Scottsdale after a long career.
In his early years Frank enjoyed his hobby in mineral mining and raising animals on his acre. He was beloved by his family and friends for his great sense of humor, and great care and love he had for others. He loved to sing, dance, play the guitar, keyboard and the harmonica well until his 90’s. He was intentional about care giving for friends and many family members who were house bound.
Frank was a devout Christian, helping to build Saint Margaret’s Catholic Church in the Victory Acres neighborhood. His faith transferred to his children, and he worshipped regularly with them. Frank was preceded in death by his beloved wife Mary Esquer Lizarraga, 2005, son Frank Esquer Lizarraga Jr., 2021. Frank is survived by four daughters, Carol Cabrera (Lucas), Martha Ochoa (Ezekiel), Teresa Gonzales (Steve), Delia Lizarraga-Henning (Peter) and Marylou Daughter-In-Law (widowed), three sons, Daniel Lizarraga (Lydia), Thomas Lizarraga (Misty), and Andrew Lizarraga (Audrey) and includes 29 grandchildren, 42 great grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild.
Our Dad, pops, daddy, grandpa and tata, Frank will be cherished by the legacy he left to all.
