Juan Garcia

Juan S. Garcia, 82, of Mountain Home, died Saturday, June 14, 2008, at a local hospital.

A viewing and rosary was held on Tuesday, June 17, at Rost Funeral Home, McMurtrey Chapel. A funeral mass will be held at 10 a.m. today, Wednesday, June 18, at Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church. Burial will follow at Mountain View Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Rost Funeral Home, McMurtrey Chapel.

Juan was born in 1927 in Lubbock, Texas.

"Juan was born gifted with a musical talent," his family said. "He could play different musical instruments. Most of all he loved to play the bajo sexto. His love for music brought joy to many people."

Juan was a migrant worker and during his travels he met the love of his life, Bertha De la Cruz. Juan and Bertha were married in 1950. They made their home in Lubbock, Texas. They had one son and three daughters.

Several years later Juan moved from Lubbock and resumed migrant work. In 1970 Juan moved his family to Mountain Home and settled permanently there.

"Juan was a very giving person and was always willing to lend a hand," his family said. "He was a devout Catholic. He taught his children and his grandchildren to believe and have faith in God.

"Juan loved to go dancing, working on his trucks before the harvest and spending time with his family. He loved playing his accordion and bajo every morning for his children, especially great-grandchildren. He extended his love for music to the Mountain Home Community by playing music at events. Juan has left an imprint in all who knew him," his family added.

Juan is survived by: his wife, Bertha Garcia; his son, John, and his wife, Josie Garcia, of Mountain Home; his daughter, Grace, and her husband, Juan Lopez, of Corpus Christy, Texas; his daughter, Irma, and her husband, John Olguin of Albuquerque, N.M,; his daughter, Delma, and her husband, Jose Rios of New Braunsfel, Texas; his sisters, Manuela Dominquez of Fresno, Calif., and Maria Martinez of Fremont, Calif.; his brother, George Garcia of Lubbock, Texas, 11 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers and three sisters.