Richard “Rich” Garcia passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on October 4, 2023, at the age of 85. Richard was born on January 18, 1938, in Sacramento, California as the eighth of nine children to Marciano Garcia and Silvina (Padilla). Growing up during school years in Colusa he did ranch work for Dick Hurni and John Boggs. After high school he enlisted in the United States Army as a Radar Missile Operator (Nike Hercules, Ajax missiles).
He served three years in the armed forces and valued this service highly. During his time served he was stationed in Landau, Germany and was presented with the Oozlefinch award, given to Nike Missilemen who demonstrated special and unique qualities.
During a stay at Colusa Hospital Richard met the love of his life, Toni. Richard and Toni were married on January 5, 1963, in Colusa, and shared 60 wonderful years together.
Richard worked for Colusa Unified School District for 36 years as custodian/bus driver. During those years he watched many kids grow up and develop valued lifelong friendships with them. He was a pillar in the school district remembered by so many as hard working, kind, full of wisdom and a role model for so many.
Richard always kept busy with various side jobs in the community. Colusa Farm Show, Bartending (Chef Colus, Colusa Golf Course, private parties), Mosquito Abatement and helping with rice harvesting. He also had many interests and hobbies. He loved history, cooking/barbequing, hunting, fishing, pottery, woodwork, gardening, antique collecting, telling stories and most of all he loved meeting new people. He was always walking up to complete strangers and asking them what year they graduated and what school they went to.
Richard had a heart of gold, and his legacy will live on in the hearts of those he impacted.
Richard is survived by his loving wife, Toni; chil-dren, Marcella Townsend; Stephanie Rose (Jim); grandchildren Jessica, Wade, Michelle, Morgan, McKenna; great-grandchildren Nathaniel, Cayden, Jada, Eleanor and Sofia. Richard was preceded in death by his mother Silvina; father Marciano; brother Charlie; brother Salvador; brother Alfred (Fred); brother Daniel (David); brother Manuel (Nick), step-sister Esperanza (Hope) Gutierrez; stepbrother Eddie Gutierrez; stepbrother Henry Gutierrez.
A Funeral Mass for Richard will be held at Our Lady of Lourdes on November 4th at 12:00 p.m. Immediately fol-lowing a celebration of life will be held at the Colusa Golf Course from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. A military send-off honoring Richard will be at 2:30 p.m. on the greens. In lieu of flowers, please make your donations to CRAF- Colusa RedHawks Athletic Foundation PO Box 1027 Colusa, CA 95932 or The Veteran Tribute Wall PO Box 294, Colusa, CA.