Garcia, Martin

Martin Garcia

Services: Have beenheld.

Martin Garcia, 73, of Fort Sumner, died Saturday, May 8, 2004, at the V.A. Medical Center in Albuquerque.

He was born on Oct. 20, 1930, in Fort Sumner, to Guadalupe and Bonifacia Garcia.

He was raised and attended schools at Fort Sumner. He served in the U.S. Army from May 1, 1951, until April 15, 1953. He received the Combat Infantry Badge – Korean, a Service Medal with 1 Bronze Star and the United Nations Service Medal. Following an honorable discharge, he joined the Air Force where he completed 23 years of military service. His Air Force duties included Communications Center Specialist and Radio Operator. He received the Air Force Longevity Service Award, Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon, Vietnamese Service Medal and Republic of Vietnam Service Medal. He retired as staff sergeant in 1974. He married Josie Lopez on Jan. 12, 1962, in Fort Sumner. After his military career, he worked for the Social Security Administration in San Antonio.

He was preceded in death by his wife; and his parents.

Survivors include two sons, Gabriel and Joseph Garcia, both of Fort Sumner; a daughter, Sandra Vigil of Clovis; a granddaughter, Josie Lopez (and husband, Aurelio) of Fort Sumner; a sister, Lucy Hanson (Robert) of Houston; six grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

A rosary is scheduled for 7 p.m. tonight at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Fort Sumner.

Father Hoi Tran will officiate the services.

Burial will be at St. Anthony Cemetery in Fort Sumner with full military honors.

Pallbearers are Rumaldo and Danny Garcia, Martin Blea, Nick Lucero and Tim and Alex Segura Jr.

Visitation is scheduled from 1 p.m. until 6 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday and 9 a.m. until 10 a.m. Thursday at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Fort Sumner.

Arrangements are by Chavez Funeral Home of Fort Sumner.