GARCIA, Gregory Michael (Mike)

Mike Garcia (May 25, 1913 ~ July 2, 2003) Rosary/Mass: Wed., July 9, 10 a.m. Recitation of the Rosary and Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Our Lady of Perpetual Help, 124 Columbus St., for Mike Garcia, who went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, July 2, 2003. Interment will follow in Greenlawn Memorial Park, 3700 River Blvd. Msgr. Michael Braun will officiate. Mike was born in Wickenburg, Arizona, on May 25, 1913. He had just celebrated his 90th birthday with family and friends. Mike moved his family to Los Angeles, CA, in the forties, where he was a manager for Boys Supermarket. He had a small orchestra which played the popular big band sounds of the times. Throughout his life his love of music was a focal point. Friends and family will always remember Papa whistling a favorite tune. He moved to Taft, CA, in 1951 for health reasons. There he had his own shoe repair shop and worked for PG&E. In 1962, he moved his family to Bakersfield. He retired from PG&E, as a light crew foreman for the gas department in 1975. Mike was preceded in death by his wife, Stella; grandson, Johnny; brother, Gabe Garcia and sister, Christine Gallegos. He leaves behind three daughters, Roberta Horn, Christine and husband, John Hubbard and Vicki and husband, Jay McCabe. He is survived by six grandchildren, Lorraine Townsend, Mike and Telena Bethell, Alicia and David Bourbon, Joey Hubbard, Jason and Michelle Williams, Daniel and Brooke Williams. He also had eight great-grandchildren, Scott Killen, Maggi Townsend, Jack and James Bethell, Ashley Hubbard, Bryana Bourbon, Caitlin Bourbon and Rion Williams. Casketbearers will be Mike Bethell, Scott Killen, Jason Williams, David Bourbon, Daniel Williams and Joey Hubbard. Visitation begins Tuesday, 3:00 p.m. Greenlawn Mortuary Funeral Directors. Published in Bakersfield Californian from 7/6 to 7/8/2003 (Courtesy of Pat R)