Joshua Jesus Garcia

Josh was born June 4, 1986 in Lansing to Linda (Schaeffer) Garcia and Lorenzo “Jesus” Garcia. He graduated from Western Michigan University in 2012 where he studied history and secondary education social studies. After college, Josh taught at Mattawan Consolidated School District, Parchment Innovation Center, and Michigan Virtual School. Josh’s true passions were teaching, gardening, volunteering, and most of all music. He spent many years of his life participating in marching band events, both as a trombonist, and as a band instructor and conductor. He also enjoyed coin collecting, skiing, cooking (especially with cast-iron), and craft beer. In recent months, he spent lots of time with Lauren planning their wedding and looking forward to building a family together.

As a person, Josh consistently put others’ needs before his own. He had a way of connecting with people immediately — he listened carefully and cared deeply. He was always present, never daydreaming nor distracted by his phone. He fostered community wherever he was. It was impossible to not fall in love with him. As a final gift, he donated his tissue to help those in need.

Those who will miss Josh most include his fiancé Lauren Keough, parents Linda and Jesus, sister Sherry Bender and husband Andrew Bender, and a host of nieces, nephews, close friends and colleagues. He is predeceased by his loving grandmother Imogene Schaeffer.

A funeral service will be held in Lansing Michigan at Gorsline-Runciman Tiffany Chapel (formerly Tiffany Funeral Home) on Thursday September 22, 2022 at 12:00 PM EDT. His viewing is scheduled at the same location on the prior evening at 4:00 PM for close family, and between 5:00 and 8:00 PM for others who loved him. A final viewing hour will be available to all an hour before the funeral.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the National Parks Foundation[https://give.nationalparks.org/]; Or Releaf Michigan[https://www.releafmichigan.org/volunteer.html]. Additionally, a scholarship fund is being organized in Josh’s honor.

HOW DID THEY LIVE

by Merrit Malloy

Not, how did they die, but how did they live?

Not, what did they gain, but what did they give?

These are the units to measure the worth

Of a person as a person, regardless of birth.

Not, what was their church, nor what was their creed?

But had they befriended those really in need?

Were they ever ready, with a word of good cheer,

To bring back a smile, to banish a tear?

Not, what did the sketch in the newspaper say,

But how many were sorry when they passed away?