Jesse Garza

Jr

Jesse Garza, Jr., (born here, in Hollister on December 26, 1947) passed away at his home on February 25, 2023 after struggling many years with kidney disease.  Jesse was 75 years old & leaves behind his wife of almost 47 years Cathy (Doris) Garza, a son Michael (wife, Brandi) , a grandson (Wade Garza), a granddaughter (Rebecca Garza) all of King City as well as a  son (Joseph Morrison) of Salinas.  Jesse was preceeded in death by his parents (Jesse Garza, Sr), his mother (Carmen Garza), a younger brother (Ralphy) & an older sister (Trinidad).  Jesse is survived by three younger siblings, David Garza, Mary Smith,  Margaret Mendolla & many nieces and nephews.

Jesse served 3 years in the USMC & was a Vietnam Veteran.  He was a fire captain & worked for CAL Fire 35 years, before retiring out as a training officer.  Jesse was an active man, who always needed to be doing something.  He was a local member & former commander of the Hollister VFW post.  He was a member of the Hollister Elks lodge & served there as a trustee, until recently, when his declining health forced him to withdraw from that position.  Jesse was a member of the Hollister American Legion and the now defunct SIRS.  He enjoyed life & treasured the many friends he made along the way as a member of these groups.

Jess was a very social man & enjoyed his life to the fullest.  He was a regular at The Rose Cafe on Tuesday mornings as well as at Flapjacks on Thursday mornings, where he enjoyed the company of his veteran buddies.  He also, enjoyed his retired Forestry friends & attended lunches and brunches monthly.  He was a staple every Tuesday night at the Elks Lodge & was  one of "the Boys At Table 5."

Above all else, Jesse loved his grandchildren & his time, spent with them, was probably his most precious.  He loved his friends & being with them as well.  Later, it was these people who were paramount in helping him  navigate  his way through the rough waters of his  illness and gave him a reason to keep on going.

Jess would often reply to the question (How are you?) by saying, with a big grin, "I can't complain, I am alive & well & above the grass".  He was a determined man, who never let anything keep him down for long, there was always a plan B.

Jesse, you will be missed by all!

Donations are preferred to The Wounded Warrior Project or Salvation Army.