Mario J. Garcia

Mario Joseph Garcia, 30 of Durango, Colorado, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, May 21, 2022. Mario was born on October 18, 1991 in Las Cruces, NM to Jerome Garcia and Claudina (Baca) Garcia. Mario was raised in Estancia, NM and attended school in Estancia and Moriarty, and graduated from Santa Rosa High School. Mario also attended NMHU. Mario was a chef and worked in various restaurants, including Dick’s in Las Vegas, NM, Yokohama’s Japanese Cuisine and On the Border in Lawrence, Kansas, Nick and Jimmy’s in Albuquerque, NM and presently was working as a chef at Steamworks in Durango, Colorado. Mario was a parishioner at San Jose Catholic Church in Anton Chico, NM and was a volunteer Fire Fighter. In his spare time, Mario enjoyed walking, playing disk golf, ping pong and softball. He also enjoyed fishing, traveling, bull riding, working as a ranch hand with sheep and cooking. However, Mario’s greatest joy came from the time he spent with his family. Mario is preceded in death by paternal grandmother: Estella Baca and paternal grandfather: Eutimio Garcia, his maternal grandmother: Patsy Montoya, maternal great-grandmother: Predicanda Montoya and great-grandmother: Emilia Baca. Mario is survived by his parents: Claudina Garcia of Santa Rosa and Jerome Garcia of Anton Chico, his life partner: Trinity Largie of Naschitti, NM, his brothers: Matthew Garcia (Kristina Gutierrez) of Santa Rosa and Marcus Garcia (Nycole Matta) of Anton Chico, sister: Miquella Garcia of Santa Rosa, nephews: Matias Garcia, Pepper Garcia, Behr Garcia Juan Martinez, Alejandro Martinez, Emiliano Garcia and Jose Romero, nieces: Anjelika Martinez and Emma Garcia and maternal grandfather: Floyd Baca of Amarillo, TX, as well as numerous family, relatives and friends. Recitation of the Most Holy Rosary, followed by the Mass of Christian Burial will be Monday, May 30, 2022 at 10am at Saint Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Santa Rosa, NM, with Father Timothy Meurer officiating the service. Interment of cremains will be in the afternoon of May 30, 2022 at Sangre De Cristo Cemetery in Upper Anton Chico, NM with Michael Romero, Jr., Philip Brian Vigil, Reuben Alex Morales, Ricardo Baca, Matthew Sanchez, Derrick Gomez, Matthew Garcia, Marcus Garcia, Ramon Romero and Keoni Noland-Caudell serving as Urn Bearers. Honorary Urn Bearers will be: Matias Garcia, Pepper Garcia, Emiliano Garcia and Behr Garcia. Services are under the direction of Chavez Funeral Home, 923 S. Third St., Santa Rosa, NM 88435. 575-472-3369. To place an online condolence or tribute, please visit www.chavezfuneralhome.com.