George "Bobby" Garnica
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On February 13 at age 88 George "Bobby" Garnica peacefully entered eternal life in the Santa Paula home he made and shared with his loving wife Mary Lou. News of his passing will no doubt take many down different roads of happy and grateful memories for he was a remarkably good-natured man of many talents who earnestly sought to improve the lives of those that surrounded him.
The third and final child of Luis & Catalina Garnica, George spent his formative years in his quaint and pastoral hometown of Fillmore which provided friends and acquaintances that would last a lifetime. His adventurous Huckleberry Finn spirit was shaped by back country trails, abundant fishing and swimming holes of the Sespe River that he frequented with his Tom Sawyer sidekick Mercy Ramirez. His lifelong affinity for music was inspired by the beautiful songs and melodies that sprang from musicians who worked, lived and performed within "campo's" that surrounded Fillmore's manicured farmlands. And his zest for life and devout commitment to his Catholic faith was emboldened by the tragic loss of his mother at age 11 as well as an "intense fear of going to hell!"
As a teenager George distinguished himself throughout Ventura County as a preeminent track and field sprinter that naturally carried over to gifted halfback on the great Fillmore football teams of 1948 & 49. There are those who maintain that the "Flashes" earned their moniker in part by the intense backfield speed that came from George Garnica and future All-Pro professional football player Don Burroughs. His name is indelibly stamped on the fabled Fillmore /Santa Paula football rivalry that became gridiron folklore and contributed to his induction into the Fillmore Athletic Hall of Fame in 2011. To the end of his life George enthusiastically was proudest of his FHS Track & Field 100-yard dash record that held for more than 60 years!
Following graduation from Ventura College in 1953 George was immediately drafted into the U.S. Army and deployed to Korea during the final months of that conflict achieving the rank of sergeant.
In 1955 he married Santa Paula girl Herminia "Minnie" Ramirez and took residence in the rival community he worked so hard to defeat, during his football days, for the remainder of his life. In the span of eleven years sons Ronald, Richard, Roland and Roy were born thus becoming the focus of their 33-year marriage. Tirelessly involved in his children's academic, athletic and church activities George's involvement was vast and included serving as the St. Sebastian Choir Director and becoming President of the SPHS Booster Club that raised funds for athletic equipment and marching band uniforms. He coached in the S.P. "Midget's" Youth Football Program and in the 1980's was elected to two terms on the Santa Paula High School Board of Trustees including serving as its President twice. His greatest reward in these endeavors was watching each of his four sons graduate from prestigious universities, two of which were members of the USC Marching Band performing in Rose Bowls.
George Garnica understood music in a way that professionals could appreciate. His musical passion started in Mr. William Knight's Fillmore High School music class where his natural talent led him to become the student band director, a gift that continued through his 80's. His final group, "Los Perdidos", comprised of musician friends that stretched back to his early years in Fillmore, provided him the opportunity to arrange and perform the music of his childhood. Proficient on piano and organ, alto & tenor saxophone, flute, trumpet, and bass guitar he was adept in both bass and treble clef and wrote musical composition and vocal arrangements that achieved an instrumental balance of his own style.
While many viewed George as a gifted auto body repairman his true passion lay in providing teenagers who entered his Automotive Body Repair Program, offered through the VC Regional Occupation Program (ROP), with a sustainable career path. He took enormous pride in helping kids, who had difficulties with conventional classroom learning, find success and reward in his Auto Shop. Respectfully called "Mr. G" by student apprentices his positive instructional approach, methodical expertise and car industry knowledge produced a generation of highly skilled auto body professionals that found employment throughout Ventura County and beyond based on his recommendation alone. Every former student who reads or hears of his passing will attest to his influence on their lives.
In 1988 wife Minnie lost her brave battle with cancer and his world seemed to have lost hope. A brilliant light had gone out in his life and his ever-present smile wiped from his face. An invitation by sympathetic friends to a class reunion brought miraculous renewal with a familiar face from his Fillmore past -Mary Lou Pulido, his childhood sweetheart and "first-ever" formal date. They were married in 1990 and enjoyed 31 wonderful years together enjoying their blended families and friends while reminiscing their long journey through life.
Proceeded in death by wife Minnie, and parents Luis and Catalina Garnica he is survived by his loving wife Mary Lou, sons Ronald, Richard, Roland (Joyce), and Roy (Rene Mack), stepson Joe Gabaldon (Ann Marie), stepdaughter Regina McLaughlin (John), eleven grandchildren, siblings Louie Garnica & Katie Ramirez and numerous nephews and nieces.
A Rosary will be recited at 9:30am on Wednesday, March 17, 2021 with a Funeral Mass to be celebrated at 10:00am at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, 427 North Oak Street in Santa Paula, California. A graveside service will be held on Friday, March 19, 2021 at 1:00pm at Santa Paula Cemetery, 380 Cemetery Road in Santa Paula, California. Covid-19 restrictions apply to all church and graveside services with no receptions planned. All services are under direction of Robert Rey Garcia Jr. Mortuary and obituary, directions, and testimonials may be accessed by visiting their website www.santapaulafuneralhome.com.
The family extends its appreciation to his beloved caregiver Lillian Herron for her excellent and devoted care that kept George happily at home and at peace. The family also acknowledges Livingston Memorial Visiting Nurse Association & Hospice particularly nurses Courtney, Judy, Laurian and Lupe for their dedicated care.