Alex Michael Garcia

Our beloved friend, uncle and brother Alex “Alejandro” M. Garcia passed away February 9, 2022 in Cortez, Colorado.
Alex was born June 27, 1931 to Simon Ben and Susie Garcia in Durango, Colorado. He became best friends with Rod Turner at six years old as they bumped into each other walking to first grade. Together they spent many years playing in the mountains and being kids in Durango. They remained close friends until Alex’s passing. Alex and Rod joined the Civil Air Patrol in their early teens. CAP is an official volunteer civilian auxiliary of the United States Air Force that accepts young men ages 12 to just under 21. This was Alex’s first introduction to the military. He was also in the Drum & Bugle Corps in Durango.
In 1949 after graduating from Durango High School he went to Fort Lewis College (original campus) on a baseball scholarship. FLC was only a two-year school at that time. He and brother Ben worked on ACROSS THE WIDE MISSOURI with Clark Gable, Ricardo Montalban and many other celebrities.
The Korean War started June 25,1950. After the 1st quarter at FLC Alex, along with other students, joined the Navy. After Boot Camp they were boarded on a transport called the AJAX, for Japan. He shared his awe at the rare sighting of the Northern Lights from the ship, not really understanding what they were at first. During a frigidly cold winter he was assigned to board an LST, flat bottom boat that opens up at one end, to go up the Yalu River that forms the northwestern boundary between North Korea and the Northeast region (Manchuria) of China. He played an important role rescuing the thousands of wounded and frostbitten Marines from the Battle of Chosin Reservoir.
Alex loved his wife Lois and was always a great help to his mom and dad. Alex also had many friends in and around Cortez he regularly visited, in particular the Disabled American Veterans Center. Dave Nelson, Southwest Center for Independence and his family considered Alex their family. As a custodian at the schools in Cortez he humbly would purchase shoes for children who may have outgrown or worn out their shoes. He was always a kind man and we will miss him.
Alex is survived by his sisters, Susan McIntosh of Farmington, Minnesota, Elizabeth Williams of Blanco, New Mexico; one brother, Lawrence Garcia of Alaska; and several nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his cherished wife, Lois; his parents, Ben and Susie; his brothers, Ben, John and William; and his sisters, Pauline, Dolores, Wilhelmina “Goomie” and Rosemary.
A Catholic Mass will be held on Wednesday, March 2, 2022 at 8:00 am at St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church at 28 E. Montezuma Ave, Cortez, Colorado. Following the mass there will be a reception and Honor Guard ceremony at the American Legion at 320 N. Harrison St. Cortez, Colorado.
Memorial contributions can be made in Alex’s memory to the Disabled American Veterans or the Southwest Center for Independence, both at 432 N. Broadway, Cortez, Colorado 81321.