Rafael O.

Garcia

Rafael O. Garcia passed away in San Jose at the age of 59.
Services will be private with interment at Calvary Cemetery.
Rafael O. Garcia obituary (English)

It is with great sadness that Rafael Ornelas Garcia, son, brother, father, and husband unexpectedly passed away on July 15, 2020, at the age of 59. He was born on September 04, 1960, in La Barca, Jalisco, Mexico.Rafael O. Garcia resided in Hollister, California at the time of his passing.

At this moment we celebrate his life and long pursuit of happiness.He will best be remembered as a hard worker, father, and person who liked to see others laugh.He and his parents came to this country at a young age in search of a better life.He quickly assimilated into this country where he married and began a family at the age of 18 with Gloria Gomez Garcia.In order to provide for his family, Rafael worked at Pacific Sod for many years.When the family grew to 4 children, the family built and purchased their home in Hollister.Around the same time, Rafael decided on a career change and began working in construction where he continued to work for 26 years and up until his passing.He developed a long-lasting friendship with Lorenzo and others that continue to be present to this day.Rafael's happiness was most visible when he would build, create, socialize, tend to his plants and work on projects to keep busy.If he did not keep busy then he felt unsatisfied.After the passing of his first wife, Rafael re-married with Bertha H. Gutierrez who became the light of his life.They shared many great moments together, had many thoughtful conversations and they were able to be themselves with each other most of all.Rafael was always able to make the best of any situation.Most of all Rafael will always be remembered for trying to make people smile and trying to be the brightest shining light in any room.

Rafael now joins all who predeceased him; his parents Gabriel and Maria Guadalupe Garcia; his siblings, Maria de la Luz, Maria Dolores, and Rafael; his first wife, Gloria Gomez Garcia (mother of his children); and his great friend Lorenzo.

Rafael is survived by his wife Bertha H. Gutierrez; his children Gloria (Fernando), Margarita (Victor), Adriana (Guillermo), and Rafael (Carmelita) Garcia; his step-child Joey; his siblings Javier, Jesus, Jose, Maria Guadalupe, Maria Refugio, Maria Magdalena, Miguel, Ramon, and Salvador Garcia; and grandchildren Serena, Jazmin, Anthony, Ariel, Ariana, Oscar, Amani, Luis, Araceli, Jessica(Jose), Jeremiah, Jeanelle; great-grandchildren Julian and Jayden; and his pets.