Nicanor 'Nic' Garcia, Jr.

NICANOR ""Nic"" GARCIA, JR. Nicanor Garcia, Jr. passed away May 30, 2016 after a long battle with multiple health issues. Nic was born in Laredo, Texas to Doris (Edenhofer) and Nicanor Garcia, Sr. He was the oldest of four children in a military family. He attended school in Augusta, Georgia; Germany; Japan; and Leavenworth, Kansas. In 1966, Nic graduated from Leavenworth Senior High School. Nic had many fond childhood memories of the time the family spent with his paternal grandparents on their ranch in Hebbronville, Texas as well as time they spent with his maternal grandparents in Wausau, Wisconsin. Nic attended the University of Kansas in 1966 and 1967 which lead him to be a Jayhawk fan for life. Rock Chalk Jayhawks! In the spring of 1973, Nic completed his Bachelors of Administration degree in Elementary Education at Metro State College. Upon graduation, Nic began his professional career in the Denver Public Schools. He was an elementary teacher at Fairmont, Ash Grove, Hallet, and Carson. In August of 1975, Nic completed his Masters of Administration degree in Elementary Education with a Principal License from the University of Northern Colorado. In 1978, Nic became a Teacher on Special Assignment with the District Staff and Curriculum Development Department as well as being an Instructor at Metro State College. In the fall of 1980, Nic was assigned to Force Elementary. His responsibilities were to act as an assistant to the elementary school principal. He found numerous excuses to spend time in the Special Education classroom. This extra attention given to the Special Educator named Connie later evolved into the marriage of Nic and Connie in February 1981. During the next fifteen years, Nic served as elementary school principal at Boulevard, Valdez, Knight Fundamental Academy, and Smith Renaissance Academy. From August 1996 to October 2000, Nic worked in central administration as Director of Elementary Licensed Personnel. During his twenty-eight years of service in the Denver Public Schools, whenever faced with a decision, Nic always tried to base the decisions he made on what was best for the children of Denver. Nic's health played a major role in the way that he lived his life. He was born with congenital heart disease. He had his first open heart surgery at age 9, then again at 13, and 21. A stroke in 2000 forced him to take a disability retirement from a career that he loved. He learned to enjoy each day of life as if it were his last. Each day of life was a gift to him. He knew how to enjoy the best of life's moments as well as make the most of each experience. He amazed those around him with his resiliency to come back after each medical setback. Nic and Connie were married for 35 years. Their shared love of their professions brought them together and they remained best friends throughout their marriage. Nic cherished his role as father to Traci and Eliot. He gladly volunteered to be a YMCA coach in flag football, basketball, and wrestling. He also served as a Troop 814 Boy Scout troop leader. Nic always looked forward to visits from Traci and the grandchildren. He enjoyed sharing life lessons with all of them. He, in turn, loved to share stories of all their accomplishments with friends and co-workers. Time with the family was important to Nic. The first family vacations involved summer camping trips in the mountains. Everyone enjoyed fishing, hiking, river rafting, and horseback riding. Additional family vacations were enjoyed over Spring Breaks to Disney World, Disney Land, Las Vegas, Arizona, New Mexico, Cozumel, and numerous trips to California. Many vacations involved stops at various golf courses. The most memorable golf trips were to Torrey Pines and Doral. An Alaskan cruise in 2000 with friends provided very special memories. Nic also enjoyed the numerous trips to visit family in South Dakota and Minnesota. Nic had a personal relationship with the Lord and was very involved in Bear Creek Church, serving faithfully as an Elder, Stephen Minister, Bible School teacher, and Sunday school teacher. Over the years, Nic's hobbies included photography, golf, bowling, and woodworking. In his later years, he worked out daily at the Carmody Recreation Center. Nic was a faithful Bronco, Nuggets, and KU basketball fan. He became very skilled as an armchair coach and thoroughly enjoyed each season. Nic had a great appreciation for food. He loved to have company come over since it would provide an opportunity to have an extra special family or company meal. In addition, he always seemed to feel well enough to go out to one of his many favorite Mexican restaurants for lunch or dinner. Nic is survived by his wife, Connie; daughter, Traci (Chris) Conroy; son, Eliot (Jill) Moore; grandchildren, Ashton (Caiti), Lauren, Britton, and Jaiden Conroy; great grandson, Sailor Conroy, and great granddaughter, Poppy Conroy; brother, Gilberto Garcia; sister, Brenda (Roger) Peterson; and numerous nieces and nephews. Nic is preceeded in death by his father, Nicanor Garcia, Sr.; mother, Doris (Edenhofer) Garcia; brother, Victor Garcia. A special thanks to all of you that made visits, sent cards, and continued to pray and support Nic and his family during his long illness. We all truly appreciated your thoughtfulness. A Memorial Service honoring Nic will be held on Saturday, June 11, 2016 at Two O'Clock in the afternoon at Bear Creek Presbyterian Church, 3101 S. Kipling Street, Lakewood, Colorado. The family invites you to a reception at the church following the service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Bear Creek Church, 3101 South Kipling Street, Lakewood, CO 80227 or Denver Teachers' Club Assistance Fund, 1617 South Acoma Street, Denver, CO 80223. ""I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."" 2 Timothy 4:7