We will send an invite after you submit!
In memory of
James Robert "Bob" Garcia
October 25, 1943 - May 20, 2021
Oct 25, 1943 - May 20, 2021
Photo
James's obituary
October 25, 1943 – May 20, 2021
A public viewing will be held Wednesday, June 2, 2021 from 9:00-11:00 am at Mullare-Murphy Funeral Home in Trinidad, Colorado. A Rosary will begin at noon followed immediately by the funeral services Both will be held at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Trinidad and graveside to follow at Trinidad Catholic Cemetery. Deserts and refreshments to follow.
“Doc,” Dr. Bob, or Dr. G. as he was called by his friends, family, and students was born on October 25, 1943, in his family home in Trinidad, Colorado. His Mother, Bertha Espinoza Garcia resided in the Family Home from the time that she and his Father, James Garcia, built it in 1940, the first year of their marriage. His mom seldom worked outside of the home because she was raising three children: brother Ron, sister Elvera, and Bob.
His first three years of formal education was at East Street Elementary School in Trinidad. At the end of the third-grade year, his parents moved him and his brother Ron to Holy Trinity Elementary Catholic School, where his sister Elvera started first grade. Robert has many individuals to thank for his education, including his Mom and Dad who always said all of my kids are going to college; the boys are not going to work in the coal mine. He also thanks his great aunt Aurora Lopez Santos for teaching him how to read and the love of the library.
Upon being graduated from Holy Trinity High, he entered St. Thomas Seminary in Denver, Colorado where he studied for two years to become a diocesan priest for the Diocese of Pueblo in Southern Colorado. After two years of study at the Seminary he went to Trinidad State Junior College, where he was recognized for his music ability and was made a member of the Trojanaires, a special singing group of twelve students. He was initiated into Phi Theta Kappa, an academic fraternity. He graduated from TSJC with an A.A. Degree in Liberal Arts in June 1964.
He transferred to Adams State (College) University in Alamosa, Colorado where he majored in Education, English, and Spanish and received his B.A. Degree in August 1969. While at Adams State, he participated in the International Accapella Choir and the Music Theatre. During his quest for his Bachelors, he taught Spanish for one year at La Jara Elementary, taught English, Spanish, and Coached for two years at Sangre de Cristo Mid-High Schools, and taught English for two years at Sierra Grande High in Blanca/Ft. Garland, Colorado.
In August 1970, he became the Assistant Director of the National Teacher Corps Program at Southern Colorado State College (University of Southern Colorado) in Pueblo, Colorado. He was in charge of thirty-four junior level Education students who were stationed in Pueblo, Rocky Ford, Colorado and in Ignacio, Colorado where the interns worked with Southern Ute, Navajo, Hispanic, and Anglo students within the Ignacio Elementary. While working as the Assistant Director for the Program, he continued his studies at Adams State, where he received his M.A. Degree in June 1973 in Cultural Relations and Cultural Sociology under the mentorship of Dr. William Oba and Dr. Lynn Weldon.
Upon completion of his M.A. he received a full ride Mexican American Community College Kellogg Doctoral Fellow at the University of Arizona to attend the University of Colorado in Boulder. He received his Ph.D. in Education Administration, Curriculum, Supervision, Evaluation, and Academic Research in June 1982. His doctoral dissertation in entitled: “Los Ancianos: Life and Education in Las Animas County Colorado As Seen By Elderly Spanish-Speaking/Spanish-Surnamed Residents.” This doctoral work was a study of fifty Hispanic families in Las Animas County Colorado and is located at the University of Colorado in Boulder.
In conjunction with his studies and positions, Dr. Garcia was a Learning Resource Center Director in charge of a variety of academic and community programs for twenty-one years at Eastern Wyoming College in Torrington. He was the CEO for Western Nebraska College Sidney Campus and the Assistant Vice President on the Scottsbluff campus for two years. In 1998, he returned to public schools in New Mexico in the Pecos Public Schools, the Espanola Public Schools, and the Jemez Mountain Schools.
Like his parents, Dr. Garcia has always made post-secondary education a priority for all students but, in particular, Hispanic Students with academic mentorship, scholarship assistance, etc.; moreover, he always steeped academically and socially in every community where he was employed. He amassed forty-five plus years in education as a teacher, college professor, and a college and public-school administrator, of which he was very proud and grateful to have had the opportunity to touch the lives of so many through music and education.
He was a lifetime member of the National Education Association, Trinidad Historical Society, Santa Clara Choir, National Hispanic Genealogical Society, and a number of academic and social service committees and organizations. Among his many avocations are: vocal music, photography, reading, traveling, Hispanic and Native American genealogy, and carpentry.
Dr. Garcia is survived by his son Aaron (Jennifer) Garcia in Torrington, Wyoming, brother Ron (Linda) Garcia, sister Elvera Garcia (Jerry) Crispin, nephews, nieces, great nephews and great nieces and a plethora of cousins. He is preceded in death by his parents, James and Bertha Garcia, an older brother Jimmy, his son Todd Allen Garcia, his great grandparents, grandparents, paternal/maternal uncles and aunts, and cousins.
Send to someone
Share this obituary with others
Want to stay updated?
Get notified when new photos, stories and other important updates are shared.
Send flowers
Share your sympathy. Send flowers from a local florist to James's family or funeral.
Memories & condolences
Dr Garcia graduated from Adams State college in the 70’s. He always reminded me about our language, music and dance so …
Dr Garcia graduated from Adams State college in the 70’s. He always reminded me about our language,…
Dr Garcia graduated from Adams State college in the 70’s. He alw…
Our condolences to the entire family. You were a good friend who loved them people of this community. RIP my friend
Our condolences to the entire family. You were a good friend who loved them people of this communit…
Our condolences to the entire family. You were a good friend who…
So sorry for the family. Mr Montoya was a great man he was my son teacher and was a very nice man. We just talked to hi…
So sorry for the family. Mr Montoya was a great man he was my son teacher and was a very nice man. …
So sorry for the family. Mr Montoya was a great man he was my so…
Dr Garcia you were such a class act. You were wise, talented and passionate about education. You shared your wisdom wit…
Dr Garcia you were such a class act. You were wise, talented and passionate about education. You sh…
Dr Garcia you were such a class act. You were wise, talented and…
Send flowers
Share your sympathy. Send flowers from a local florist to James's family or funeral.
Share this memorial website
How you can help
Share with others
Created with love by
Aaron Garcia (James's son).
