ERNEST GARCIA

1954 - 2023

ERNEST BENAVIDES

GARCIA

May 3, 1954 July 22, 2023

It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and cousin, Ernest B. Garcia. He passed away on July 22, 2023, at Select Specialty Hospital in San Diego, CA. He will be greatly missed by all those who loved him dearly. Ernest was born on May 3, 1954, in Brawley, CA, and shortly after moved to Mexicali with his family. When he was 8 years old, he and his family moved back to Brawley, where he lived for the rest of his life.

He graduated from Brawley Union High School in 1975 and later attended IVC and SDSU. While attending high school, he was also a migrant worker. When he returned to Brawley after his education in SD, he worked for 5 years at Campesinos Unidos. He then started his own business, De Colores Used Car Lot, which he co-owned with his brother-in-law for about 5 years. He also worked at ARC Industries before starting his career at Imperial Valley Housing Authorities in El Centro. He was an Occupancy Specialist there until he retired.

When Ernest was 22, he met the love of his life, Rosa Cervantes, with whom he had the privilege of marrying 3 years later. Throughout their years of marriage, they had 5 children: Roxanna, Ernesto, Simon, Lorena, and Laura.

Ernest was a devout Catholic who attended St. Margaret Mary Apostolic Church every Sunday. He was an extraordinary Eucharistic Minister and Lector. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus.

Ernest had many unique interests and hobbies. He loved listening to oldies and watching old westerns, or peliculas del ano del caldo, as his wife would always say. He also enjoyed collecting keychains and would even make his own out of little figurines. He also loved to collect classic toy cars, stamps, and coins.

Ernest was preceded in death by his parents, Simon Garcia and Vicenta Garcia. He is survived by his wife, Rosa Garcia; daughters, Roxanna (Terence) Alcantra, Lorena Garcia, and Laura Garcia; sons, Ernesto (Vivian) Garcia and Simon Garcia; grandchildren, Jeremiah, Brian, Aden, Devin, Alissa, and Aria; sisters, Matilde Ferratt, Genoveva Moreno, and Vidal Garcia; and countless cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Funeral Services for Ernest will be held on August 7, 2023, with the viewing from 8-9am, rosary from 9-10am, mass from 10-11am at St. Margaret Mary Apostolic Church in Brawley, CA. Burial services to follow at Riverview Cemetery in Brawley.