David Garcia Albizo, Jr., 82, Capt., USMC, ret., beloved husband of Ardath left this life on September 16, 2020. David was a first generation American born in San Francisco in 1938 to David Garcia Albizo, Sr. and Carmen Garcia. He is survived by his wife, Ardath Albizo, two previous wives, Kathleen Donnay and Ruth Ramos, younger siblings Hector Albizo and Sonia Ruiz and five children: David Garcia Albizo, III, Mary Ann White, Carmen Martinez, David George Albizo and Elizabeth Saunders.

David was a proud retired marine who served in that capacity for 22 years. He had two tours in Viet Nam, receiving a field promotion to 2nd Lieutenant at the end of his first tour and to Captain during his second tour. He was proudest and most affected by his participation in the insertion and removal of Marines on Hill 488 in 1966.

However, his life was haunted by his experiences "in country", and, in addition to his personal battle with PTSD, he struggled with alcoholism as well as diabetes and heart disease resulting from his exposure to Agent Orange. Although he was unable to heal the physical damage, he successfully stopped drinking in 1984 and died with more than 36 years of continuous sobriety. David dedicated the last decades of his life to helping other veterans who wanted to heal from similar experiences, and touched many men in Bakersfield.

His ashes will be placed at the Bakersfield National Cemetery in Arvin. No date has been set for interment pending post-Covid re-opening. For updated information regarding his burial ceremony, check the website of Mission Funeral Home in Bakersfield. In lieu of flowers, please honor his memory with a donation to the Marines' Memorial Association & Foundation in San Francisco.

Marines’ Memorial Association.. https://marinesmemorial.org/w…

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