Santos A. Garcia

Santos A. Garcia was escorted to heaven by his son, Ted, to be with his Lord and Savior on May 7, 2007 at his home in Commerce City, CO. Born on May 20, 1927 in Kaufman County, TX, he moved to Colorado in 1939. First a farmer, and then a meat cutter, he worked for Pepper Meat Packing for over three decades. He retired from the meat industry in 1985. After retirement, he worked with cement, laying foundations and driveways, but one of his most rewarding activities was the volunteer work.
Santos volunteered his time with several organizations. Working with the Lord's Pantry in Commerce City, he would bag and deliver groceries to the senior citizens who were unable to leave their homes. He became a well-known member of the Alsup Elementary parent-teacher group Partners in Education, where he helped raised funds to buy educational materials and other needs for the school. He would also care for parents' children when they attended the monthly meetings. During the before and after school hours, Santos would drive neighborhood children to and from school when parents had to be to work. In 2002, he was honored with the Golden Glow Award for his commitment to feeding the hungry. In 2004, the Adams County Community Food Service Program presented him with a Certificate of Appreciation plaque for outstanding dedication and service for helping people in need.
Another way Santos would give back to the community was through music. Born into a musically-talented family, he grew up playing the guitar with his father and brothers, and singing with his sisters. After he became a Christian, Santos would volunteer his time to play his guitar for different religious services throughout the Denver metro region. He truly loved the LORD and was well-known in many churches for his service. Some of Santos' happiest moments were when he had his guitar straddled across his lap and he was picking out a spiritual melody.
One of Santos' greatest passions was motorcycles. As a young man, he rode motorcycles with a group of friends. Sitting atop his Harley Davidson and his Indian motorcycle, he loved the freedom that came from the open road. He passed on this passion to several of his children, Santos and Berta, who continue riding to this day.
In addition to serving as a musician, Santos was president of the Foursquare Crusaders, a Christian youth group from 1950-1955. He presided over 175 youth from congregations in Frederick, Longmont, Berthoud, Eaton, Brighton, and Denver. They met every first Saturday of the month in various churches. His sister, Dolores, was the secretary and assisted him. The group sang on radio station KLMO in Longmont. He also served as a volunteer firefighter in Frederick, CO for four years.
Santos is survived by his wife Loretta; sons, Santos and Jody; step-sons, Robert, Richard, and Randall Haines; adopted sons, Frank Garcia and Raymond Ruiz; daughters, Berta Mendias, Billie Garcia, and Tracy Garcia, and step-daughter Pamela Haines; siblings, Albert Garcia, Blas (Chuck) Garcia, Delores Elizalde, and Rose Garcia-Williams. He supported and loved another child, Lisa, as his own. He had 16 grandchildren, five step-grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren, and numerous wonderful nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends. He is preceded in death by his parents, Albert and Josifa Garcia; a son, Ted Garcia; his brother, James Garcia; two sisters, Placida Gonzales and Oralia Rivera; and a great-granddaughter, Alexandra Mazie Garcia. In lieu of flowers, Santos has requested donations to The Gideons International, P.O. Box 140800. Nashville, TN 37214-0800.