Tom A. Garcia, 90

Center resident Tom A. Garcia, 90, affectionately known as Papo, passed away peacefully on March 2, 2017 at the San Luis Care Center with his loving family by his side. Tom was born on January 19, 1927 in Tres Piedras, New Mexico, the son of Pedro Garcia and Reynalda Lovato Garcia. Tom was an exceptional, kind, caring and loving father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle cousin and friend who was a member of the Holy Family Society and worked for many years as a sanitation worker for the Town of Center. On his free time Tom enjoyed coaching his sons and daughters as they played town team basketball and softball. His love for sports carried on into the next generation as he watched his grandchildren participate in various sports. He also enjoyed coaching and watching boxing. In addition to sports, Tom enjoyed dancing, fishing, watching western movies and professional wrestling. Above all, he loved the time he was able to spend with his family and friends. Tom will be dearly missed by all who knew him.

Survivors include his daughters Shirley (Jim) Sierra of Monte Vista, CO; Jenny (Duane) Valdez, Renee (Josue) Olmos, Marie (Ray) Ulibarri all of Center, CO; Brenda (Dan) Martinez of La Jara, CO; sons Tommy (Debbie) Garcia, Gary (Lucille) Garcia, Lloyd (Lillian) Garcia all of Center, CO; Fred (Teresa) Garcia of San Antonio, TX; 23 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren, sister Rose Sanchez of Leadville, CO; sister-in-laws Phyllis Garcia of  Phoenix, AZ, Frances Garcia of Seven Mile Plaza, CO; Henrietta Garcia of Center, CO; Sobeida Santistevan of Albuquerque, NM: brother Albert (Cordy) Garcia of Alamosa, CO; Pete (Monica) Garcia of Colorado Springs, CO. He is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Tom is preceded in death by his parents Pedro and Reynalda Garcia, wife Loyda Garcia, daughter Yvonne Garcia, grandson Jared Valdez, four brothers Felix, Tano, Isidro and Solito Garcia.

A Vigil Service with Recitation of the Rosary will be held on Tuesday, March 7, 2017 at 7:00 PM at St. Francis Jerome Catholic Church in Center. A Mass of the Resurrection will be held on Wednesday, March 8, 2017 at 10:00 AM also at St. Francis Jerome Catholic Church in Center. Interment will follow at the Seven Mile Plaza Cemetery. Viewing and visitation will be held on Tuesday from 1-5 PM at the Romero Funeral Chapel in Monte Vista. The arrangements have been trusted to Romero Funeral Home of Monte Vista. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that all donations be made in Papo's name (Tom A. Garcia) to St. Francis Jerome Catholic Church, P.O. Box 590 in Monte Vista, CO.