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ALEX RUDY Major General (Ret.) Alex Rudy Garcia, age 65, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend, went to be with his Lord on June 22, 2006 after a long battle with Heart Disease and Lymphoma Cancer. He passed away in peace with his family by his side. He was preceded in death by his parents, Samuel Garcia and Isabel Zimmerman, and his Auntie Covita (Margaret) Gonzales. He is survived by his two sisters, Marian Gutierrez and her husband, Jose of Albuquerque, and Diane Scanlan and her husband, Tracy of Colorado Springs, CO. He is also survived by his mother-in-law, Delia Lucero; and many nieces and nephews and godchildren. A lifelong resident of Albuquerque, NM, Alex was born on June 17, 1941 in the Barelas neighborhood. Alex graduated from Albuquerque High School in 1959. Prior to his senior year in high school, Alex enlisted in the New Mexico Army National Guard as a private in 1958. He rose through the ranks of a distinguished military career by reaching the highest rank of Brigadier General in 1994. He would hold the position of the Deputy Adjutant General of the NM National Guard until his retirement on his birthday, June 17, 2001, after 42 years of honorable and distinguished service. Upon his retirement, he was recognized for his selfless service and dedication by being promoted to the rank of Major General. Alex worked full time in various duty positions throughout the state in the NM National Guard to include Belen, Albuquerque, Roswell, and Santa Fe. He was honored by the Governor of New Mexico and the Adjutant General on March 6, 2006 by renaming the Army National Guard Armory in Albuquerque to, "MG Alex R. Garcia Armory". This is the first NG armory in NM to be dedicated in a soldier's honor. On March 14, 2006, Alex was recognized by the Bernalillo County Commission for his contributions to New Mexico by honoring him with a Proclamation on behalf of the county. Alex's life was filled with many joys, but none were more important than his 45 year marriage to his wife, Dolores. She was his "Flower" and he honored her until his last breath. They were the greatest example of unconditional God-given Love between husband and wife. His other joys were his four children, Alex, Jr. and his wife, Sandra, Delia Hovey and her husband, Mark, Sammy and his wife, Gail, and Steven and his wife, Angel, all of whom reside in Albuquerque. Alex was blessed with 11 grandchildren; Stephanie, Adella, Sammy Jr., Celina, Alei, Brei, Jesse, Lawrence, Nicolas, Elena, Roman, and his favorite Chihuahua, "KILLER". Amongst Alex's special gifts in life was his musical talent. God gave him the gift of voice and guitar. He started the Spanish choir at Queen of Heaven Catholic Church in 1973 and continued to lead this choir with his beautiful voice and guitar until this disease took his strength and ability. He also fulfilled a lifelong dream to record his music in a studio and hear it on the radio. 89.1 FM KANW did just that. Along with Spanish music, his favorite pastimes were playing golf with his closest friends known as "La Perrada", and volunteering at his favorite radio station, KANW, taking dedications on Saturday mornings. The New Mexico Army National Guard will honor MG Garcia with a Military Honor Guard and full Military Honors throughout the Funeral and interment. Honorary pallbearers are Jose Gutierrez, Christopher Lucero, Alex Sanchez, Al "Hurricane" Sanchez, Manny Sanchez, Ignacio Molina, Bert Lovato, and COL (Ret) Dana Carden. Visitation will be at 1:00 - 2:00 p.m., with Vigil Service and reception following at Queen of Heaven Catholic Church on Sunday, June 25, 2006. The Funeral will begin on Monday, June 26, at 10:30 a.m. at Queen of Heaven Catholic Church with the Most Reverend Johnny Lee Chavez, Michael Shea, and Ricardo Russo officiating, followed by burial with full military honors at the Santa Fe National Cemetery at 1:30 p.m. In lieu of Flowers, it was Alex's wish that donations be made to the New Mexico National Guard Family Readiness Program and/or the Veterans Administration Medical Center Oncology Program. All Services are under the care and direction of: Fitzgerald and Son Funeral Directors 3113 Carlisle NE 884-1188
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