Andrew Armando Garcia

Andrew (Andy) Armando Garcia, 90, a long-time resident of Red Bluff, passed away suddenly at his home south of town on December 17th. He is survived by his wife Nancy Garcia, his children Sara Garcia Thomas, Rebecca Garcia Gallagher, Teresa Garcia Cottier, Albert Garcia, and Paul Garcia and his brothers Ernie Garcia and Oscar Garcia and sisters Helen Moreno and Sue Garcia.

Born in 1931 in the logging town of Westwood, California, Andy was the oldest child of Ascensión and Josefina Garcia. After graduating from Westwood High School and working in the timber industry pulling green chain in the sawmill and blowing up stumps with dynamite in the forest, Andy was drafted into the Army and served two years in the Korean War. While in combat as a medic, he saved two officers, once by walking into and out of a mine field to carry out an injured soldier and another time by pulling an officer out of a tank while tracer bullets were whizzing around him.

After the war, Andy went to Chico State University where he met his wife to be, Nancy Spanfelner. He completed a master’s in business education and began teaching at his alma mater, Westwood High, while also coaching basketball and football. After four years, he and Nancy and their young sons moved down to the valley, and he began teaching at Red Bluff High where he worked for the remainder of his career, teaching business and Spanish.

Devoted to his family, Andy spent many years camping, hiking, and fishing with Nancy and the children. They took trips to most of the national parks in the Northwest states and often to nearby Lassen Park, Patrick’s Point State Park, Lake Siskiyou, and other camping spots in Northern California.

When his children became involved in youth and high school sports, he was a strong supporter, going to nearly every home and away game or meet and encouraging them not only to reach their capabilities but also to enjoy the process. This continued when his grandchildren took to the field and court. Andy went to their games into the very last year of his life, sitting in bleachers with Nancy and other family members, and recounting all the games later during family visits.

Andy Garcia’s life can be remembered for hard work. Few could outwork him physically or in terms of determination. He carried the work ethic he had experienced as a young man toiling in the lumber mill throughout his entire life. Even into his 90th year, he continued cutting firewood with a chainsaw, splitting that wood, and arranging it in stacks that lined his driveway, stacks he was famous for in the family, stacks he felt represented who he was and who his family was.

Even more, Andy’s life will be remembered for a strong commitment to family and friends. Over the course of his life, he remained close to friends from Oldtown Westwood and frequently went to reunions for that community. In the second half of his life, he took up golf and enjoyed the regular exercise and time with friends.

However, his love and commitment to his family and every member of it will mark his life the most. He encouraged all his children and grandchildren to follow their dreams academically and professionally. He was devoted to his wife Nancy and loved her dearly. In addition to his wife, children, and siblings, he is survived by his grandchildren David, Joseph, Anna, Michael, Ben, Katie, Emily, Grace, Grant, Mary, Caden, and Sonia and great-granddaughter Elizabeth. He was preceded in death by parents Ascensión and Josefina Garcia, his sisters Elvira Harrison and Ofelia Garcia, and his half-brother Manual Garcia.

A funeral Mass will be held at Sacred Heart Catholic Church on Thursday, December 30th at 11:00AM followed by a graveside service at Saint Mary’s Cemetery. The family has requested that remembrances be made in the form of contributions to Sacred Heart Women’s Guild, 2355 Monroe Street, Red Bluff, CA, 96080.