It saddens me to tell you that we have lost our friend and classmate, George Garcia. He died at his home in Walnut Creek yesterday. George was a Vietnam vet and a world traveler. He loved to travel and visited many countries, even returning to Vietnam a few years ago. He cherished his Trona friends and memories of growing up in our little town. He was loved and respected by all who were fortunate enough to call him friend.

He will be missed.

Linda Cunningham Monroe

George M. Garcia
Jan. 29, 1941 – Dec. 12, 2016

Resident of Walnut Creek

The nicest place to be is in someone’s thoughts, the safest place to be is in someone’s prayers, and the very best place to be is in the hands of God. George gracefully experienced all of this in his lifetime with a smile. George Garcia passed away peacefully at home after battling multiple myeloma, surrounded by his family. He was born to Modesto and Toribia Garcia in Trona, Ca. He always loved this little desert company town and often said he had the best childhood ever growing up there. He left after graduation for Los Angeles, worked for National Cash Register, married his high school sweetheart, Kathy Leisure, started college, was drafted into the Army, became a medic, and was sent to Vietnam. After being discharged, he made his way up the coast looking for employment and was hired by the City of Walnut Creek. He was then blessed with his three children, Joe, Annette and Mary. He worked for the City until he retired as the Traffic Supervisor, at the age of 60. After an earlier divorce, he met Carole Kelsch, who became his devoted life partner for the next 40 years. Along with working for the City, he received his Associates Degree, his electrical contractor’s license, built two cabins at Serene Lakes near Donner Summit, extensively remodeled the home he lived in, traveled on a mission trip to Africa to help build a birthing center, participated in a mission trip to Honduras, and had many more traveling adventures to Italy, France, Israel, Vietnam and various other countries. He was a board member of Diablo Valley Federal Credit Union for over 40 years, a board member in his mountain community of Serene Lakes for the water board and the property owners association, a member of SIRS Branch #19, served on the Mission Beyond Saint Matthew committee, skied, played golf, bocce, and loved Spring Training in AZ. George had the patience of Job, and with his engineering mind, he could fix anything. He was like the Pied Piper, as everyone from babies to older people loved him. George loved to dance, and even earlier this year he was out on the dance floor and could cut a rug with the best of them. His younger brother, Sam, died nine days before his death and George is now survived by two of eight siblings, Helen Arnold and Terri Mitsuoka. George leaves his best friend and beloved life partner, Carole Kelsch. Also, he leaves three children, Joseph Garcia (Nicole), Annette Robinson, and Mary van Loben Sels (Mark). He was so loved by Kim Szczurek (Norb) and Kristan Kelsch. His grandchildren were the greatest earthly gift given to him and he was Grandpa to Taylor, Jack, Andrew, Lucas, Gavin, Tobey, Thomas and Charlie, and was Papa to Sarah, Zachary and Hope. A memorial service celebrating George’s life will be held Saturday, January 7th, 11:00 am, at Saint Matthew Lutheran Church, 399 Wiget Lane, Walnut Creek, Ca. Lunch will follow. George was extremely proud to be a Vietnam Veteran and his ashes will be interred at the VA National Cemetery in Dixon. Memorial gifts in George’s honor may be sent to Saint Matthew Lutheran Church, Scholarship Fund, 399 Wiget Lane, Walnut Creek, Ca 94598 or Hospice East Bay, 3470 Buskirk Avenue, Pleasant Hill, Ca 94523.

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