Edgar "Eddie" Ivan Garcia

Edgar “Eddie” Ivan Garcia, 65, passed away unexpectedly on June 5, 2025, at his home in Poygan, WI. His sudden departure leaves a lasting void for his family, but they are comforted in knowing he is at peace in heaven with his loved ones who departed before him.

Eddie was born on April 15, 1960, in New Orleans, LA, but spent much of his youth in Dallas, TX, where he built a firm belief that everything’s better in Texas. Eddie transitioned his love of kicking a soccer ball into a love of kicking a football for the Woodrow Wilson Wildcats. An alumnus of Southern Methodist University’s Cox School of Business (BBA, ‘82), Eddie was also a placekicker for the SMU Mustangs (Go Ponies!), and is tied for the school’s record for total field goals (44).

Following his college career, Eddie was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the 1982 draft, where he played for 3 seasons. After his time with the NFL ended, he built a long and successful career in marketing and sales, spending much of his career with the Oshkosh Defense division of Oshkosh Corporation.

It was often joked that Eddie could sell ice to a penguin in relation to his sales talents, but at the end of the day he was most proud to build relationships with our country’s active duty military, forming many lasting friendships along the way. He also facilitated the Oshkosh Corporation’s Packers Military Appreciation Game sponsorship as a way to honor service members and veterans.

After his retirement, Eddie was appointed to the Green Bay Packers Board of Directors, where he served on the Sales and Marketing Committee. His favorite part of his role with the Board was working on the Foundation’s distribution of funding to local nonprofits and charities. He often said that he felt so honored to help support the great work being done across Wisconsin by these organizations.

Outside of his work, Eddie loved to travel the world, and then relax in Florida during the cold winters with his wife of 40 years and partner in adventure, Jill. He also loved to watch endless soccer games, and was an expert at yelling “GOALLLL!” just like the announcers do. In the last several years, Eddie spent lots of time with his family, which includes his loving daughters Susan (Jim) and Katherine (Paul), and his adoring grandson Oscar, who loved his Papi dearly. Eddie will be remembered by his close family as immensely kind, generous, and funny (sometimes intentionally, sometimes unintentionally).

Besides his immediate family, Eddie is survived by his two sisters, Tania and Lily, his brother Mario, countless other family members, and many friends who felt like family members. He is preceded in death by his father Hector Garcia, his mother Irma Garcia, and his beloved grandson, Louis Edgar Spina. We know with great certainty that he is continuing his favorite role as “Papi” with his grandson in heaven.

A service will be held in Eddie’s honor at St. Vincent (St. Jude) Church on Friday, June 20, 2025. An open house visitation will begin at 10am, followed by a full Catholic service at noon. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Bob Woodruff Foundation or the Gridiron Greats Assistance Fund.