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GARCIA -- Evangelisto (Evans) R. Garcia, age 97, passed away peacefully Saturday, January 29, 2011. He was born in Dona Ana, New Mexico on June 19, 1913 and was a long-time resident of Santa Fe before he moved to Albuquerque in 1994. He is survived by his three children: daughters, Pauline Garcia and Margaret Garcia of Albuquerque; and son, Anthony Garcia and wife, Lisa of Torrance, California. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Theresa Fuentes and husband, Robert Dell Angelo, Antoinette Fuentes-Knapp and husband, David, Antonio Garcia and wife, Maria, Dolly Romero-Wilberding and husband, Jason, Matthew Fuentes, and Frances Garcia; and great-grandchildren, Anthony and Michael Antonucci, Talia Dell Angelo, Brian, Lauren and Lindsay Knapp, Ben and Luke Wilberding, Esteban Sena, and Caige and Rein Fuentes. Mr. Garcia was preceded in death by his father and mother, Belzan and Juanita Garcia; his sisters, Adela Bowen and Crucita Daby; and his son, Evans. Mr. Garcia graduated from Hot Springs High School, then studied accounting at the LaSalle Extension University and attended New Mexico State University. He enlisted in the U.S. Army on April 4, 1941 and served in the Asiatic Pacific Theatre of Operations during WWII, participating in the Philippine Defense Campaign with the New Mexico National Guard 200th Coast Artillery and 515th Coast Artillery. These brave soldiers held off the Japanese against all odds, without enough food or supplies, and inferior weapons. Mr. Garcia, along with other New Mexico guardsmen, was captured by the Japanese Army on April 9, 1942 and forced to endure the infamous Bataan Death March. He spent 3 and a half grueling years as a Prisoner of War, held in several prison camps in the Philippines and was sent on a Hell Ship to Japan and held in Fukuoka Prison Camp No. 17 until liberation on September 12, 1945. As a result of his dedicated service to our country, Mr. Garcia received the following citations and decorations: Asiatic Pacific Theatre Ribbon with one Bronze Service Star, American Defense Ribbon with one Bronze Service Star, Philippine Defense Ribbon with one Bronze Service Star, The Victory Medal, Good Conduct Ribbon with Clasps, Seven Overseas Service Bars, The Distinguished Unit Citation with Three Oak Leaf Clusters, The Bronze Star, The Purple Heart, and more recently, the POW Medal. As the Korean Conflict escalated, Mr. Garcia enlisted with the U.S. Army on June 28 of 1949 and was discharged on October 17, 1950. After the war, Mr. Garcia settled in Santa Fe and worked with the Selective Service System. His four children were born in Santa Fe and he often took them up north to camp and fish. He always enjoyed hunting and fishing with his many friends. He retired from Selective Service in 1967. Following his retirement, he was active in the VFW Post 2951 and served in many capacities, including Commander. During his tenure, the Post grew and prospered. He was also very active in the Bataan Veterans Organizations in Santa Fe and statewide, the DAV, and volunteered hundreds of hours at the VA hospital in Albuquerque. He was actively involved with his grandchildren, traveling with them and especially teaching them to fish. He was very proud of his grandsons Antonio and Matthew as they chose to follow in his footsteps and join the military to serve their country. Rosary will be recited on Thursday, February 3, 2011, 7:00 p.m., at French - University Chapel in Albuquerque. Mass will be celebrated on Friday, February 4, 2011, 11:00 a.m., at St. Anne's Parish, 511 Alicia Street in Santa Fe with Father Leo Ortiz, Celebrant. Interment will follow mass at the Santa Fe National Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Antonio Garcia, Matthew Fuentes, Fred Armijo, John Ojinaga, Sam Ojinaga, and Corky Ojinaga. Honorary pallbearers will be members of the New Mexico National Guard. Friends may visit French - University Chapel on Thursday, February 3, 2011 from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to VFW Post 2951, 307 Montezuma, Santa Fe, New Mexico, 87501. A memorial service will be scheduled for Mr. Garcia in Las Cruces, New Mexico at a later date. Please visit our online guestbook for Evans Garcia at: www.RememberTheirStory.com FRENCH 1111 University Blvd. NE (505) 843-6333
        Published on: Wed February 02, 2011