Leonardo "Eg" Eusebio Gaitan Garcia

Leonardo Eusebio Gaitan Garcia (EG) beloved father, grandfather, and friend, made his final journey home on March 12, 2020. EG, also fondly known as Cheb and Chebo, was born to Eusebio Alonzo Garcia and Lucia Gaitan on January, 14, 1928 in Harlingen, TX. EG spent his early years in Harlingen, TX and San Luis, Mexico where he often visited family. He moved to Nebraska in his teens to work. He got a job at the Army Depot of Sidney as a civil servant, and in 1949 he joined the Army National Guard. EG often traveled to Colorado, where in 1947, he met Mary Ann Mares in Ft Morgan, CO. EG and Mary Ann were married on May 18, 1950 in Las Vegas, NM. They settled down in Sidney, NE, where they started a family. They had four children: Rosalie, Steven, Judy and Edward. It was in Sidney where he was able to tap into his love of cars by getting a side job at the Ford Dealership. He was offered a transfer to Colorado, so EG and Mary Ann moved their family to Pueblo, CO in 1964, where EG resumed his civil servant job at the Pueblo Army Depot. EG and Mary Ann decided to raise their children in a small community, so they moved the family to Fremont County. EG continued his work at the Army Depot until his retirement. His love of cars motivated him to open his first car lot in Florence, CO, where he sold used cars. He taught his sons the business and made them his partners, and hence, Garcia Motors was born. It was a dream come true for him.

Sadly, EG and Mary Ann went their separate ways after 26 years of marriage. EG eventually met Donna Huckabey, with whom he shared many years and memories together while raising her three young children, Chris, Lee and Beulah. After retirement, he moved to Colorado Springs where he bought a home and spent his last 20 years enjoying his family and hobbies. During his years in Colorado Springs, he met a young woman by the name of America. They hit it off and eventually married.

EG was a passionate man with a strong spirit, a fierce love for his family, and an unmatched work ethic. He was a people person, loved meeting new people and helping others. People loved him, as he had an unparalleled way of impacting others. Even in his last days, he continued to win the hearts of his caregivers. He carried his passion for cars throughout his life. He was a Ford man, although he did have a soft spot for some Chevy’s and Cadillacs. EG loved sports. He was an avid and successful boxer in his younger days. The Nebraska Cornhuskers, Wofford Terriers, Colorado Rockies, Denver Broncos and Denver Nuggets were his teams. He was a patriot and loved his country. EG was a devout Catholic his entire life. He was a lover of music, especially old school Mexican and Mariachi. EG was a huge animal lover and owned many dogs throughout his life. Midnight, Bandit, Gigi, Smoky, Red, Lucky, Cooper and Bo were by his side through his good times and bad. Above all, EG loved God and his family, including his dogs. EG had a long, productive and good life. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

EG is survived by his four children, Rosalie Anderson (Jed Anderson), Steven Garcia, Judy Garcia-Bieber (Larry Bieber), Edward Garcia (Amy Garcia), his 12 grandchildren, Christine Triantos (John Triantos III) and Jenna Anderson (Rosalie), Matthew Garcia, Lucas Garcia and Daniel Garcia (Steve), Jordan Bieber and Samuel Bieber (Judy), Nickolas Garcia (Erica Garcia), Eric Garcia, Jake Garcia, Cole Garcia and Cade Bradley (Edward), and his three great grandchildren, Sophie Garcia and Sierra Garcia (Nickolas), and John Triantos IV (Christine), former wife and mother of his children Mary Ann Mares, and former wife Maria America Garcia. EG is also survived by his stepchildren Chris Wilson (Christine), Lee Eggers, Beulah Eggers, his step grandchildren, Chelsea, Marissa, Hannah, Christian, Riley, Tyler, Jeff (Chris), Jessica (Lee), Zavanah, Sergio, Xavier (Beulah), and great step grandchildren Ryliegh (Lee), along with 4 other great step grandchildren and 2 on the way (Chris), and his beloved dog Bo.