Joseph Garcia of Echo passed away in Hermiston on Dec. 30, 2019 at the age of 94.
He was born on July 11, 1925 in Yuma, Ariz. to Joseph and Della Galbrith Garcia.
Joseph grew up and attended school in Big Sandy near Wikieup, Ariz. He married Dorothy Garbarino on Aug. 23, 1947 in Kingman, Ariz. The couple lived in Kingman, Ariz. for a while before moving to Umatilla in the mid-1940s. They lived in Stanfield for a short time before moving to Echo in 1950.
Joseph worked on dam construction for a few years when he first arrived in Oregon. He then went to work as a munitions handler at the Umatilla Army Depot, where he eventually retired. He continued to work at various odd jobs in the area for many years.
Joseph enjoyed building and flying RC airplanes and oil painting, and he and Dorothy enjoyed many years of being camp hosts at the South Fork Umatilla River.
He is survived by daughter, Donna and husband Tom Verran; daughter, Linda Garcia and significant other, Kim; son, Bruce Garcia; daughter, Debbie and husband David Sunder; seven grandchildren; many great grandchildren; and several great-great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy in 2012; his parents; sisters, Dorothy and Ethel; and brother, David.
A graveside service will be at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 9, 2020 at Echo Cemetery.
Family suggests memorial donations be made to the Echo Community Church.
To leave an online condolence for the family, please go to burnsmortuaryhermiston.com.
Burns Mortuary of Hermiston is in care of final arrangements.
