Noberto "Robert" Garcia

The Rosary for Noberto "Robert" Garcia, 88, of Portales will be recited at 9:00 AM, Wed., Oct. 29, 2025 at St. Helen Catholic Church. Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated at 10:00 AM by Fr. Francisco Carbajal. Burial will follow in the Portales Cemetery with Daniel Garcia, Jacob Garcia, Joseph Garcia, Francisco Edwardo Araque, Jeff Cleveland and Joel Cleveland serving as pallbearers. John Gentry, Fern Newlin, Vince Smith, Rito Villa, Arkie Kiehne, Bob Woods and Phillip George along with all of his Masonic friends will serve as honorary pallbearers.
Noberto Garcia, also known as Robert, passed away on October 22, 2025, at the age of 88 in Portales, New Mexico. He was born in Derramadero, New Mexico on October 2, 1937. He spent his early childhood in the Encino Derramadero area, before moving to Bethel, N.M. in 1947. Then moved to Portales in 1952.
Robert was known for his admirable work ethic, sense of humor, and generosity. He was always helping those in need. He made friends easily and formed lifelong relationships.
He began working at Portales Hardware in 1968, and later purchased into the corporation in 1971. He managed the business for 27 years and retired in 1998.
After retiring as a business owner Robert began a second career. Realizing his dream of ranching, he carried on his dream until the time of his passing. He always enjoyed talking to any cattleman who had better ideas to help him improve his own cattle and operation or share knowledge based on his own ranching experiences.
Robert was enlisted in the United States Army National Guard. After serving faithfully and honorably for 20 years, he retired at the rank of Sergeant Major assigned to the 111th Air Defense Artillery Brigade.
Another interest of Robert's was politics. In 1971 he was the first Hispanic elected to office in Roosevelt County. He continued his service on the city council for nine years where he served on various committees devoting his time and talents to serve the city and its citizens. During this same period, he was appointed as a member of the governor's council on criminal justice planning under the office of Governor Jerry Apodaca. He served on the committee through 1977.
In 1998 Robert was appointed as a member of the community development council serving the State of New Mexico through the administration of Governor Gary Johnson through 2001.
He served as a board member for La Casa of Buena Salud, and the Clovis High Plains Hospital.
On September 15, 1980 he became the first Hispanic to be accepted to the Portales Masonic Lodge #26 AF&AM, and continues his fraternal membership to present. Robert served as Worshipful Master of the Lodge from January 1, 1987 to December 31, 1987. In 2001 he was appointed District Deputy Grand Master for the Portales, Tucumcari, Elida, Melrose and Clovis Lodges. He is also a member of the Imperial council of the Arabic Order of the Mystic Shrine for North America (Shriners). On September 6, 2023, he affiliated with Liberty Lodge #51 AF&AM in Santa Rosa, New Mexico.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Rita and Miguel Garcia. Siblings; Raphaelito Garcia, Inez Garcia, Toby Garcia, Elosia Sandoval, Julia Ortega, Jose Garcia, Ciria Gomez, and Elmer Garcia
He is survived by his wife of 46 years Helen Garcia; children Norbert Garcia (wife Irma) of Portales N.M., Nancy Garcia-Civil (husband Jeff) of Amarillo, TX., Cynthia Wilt (husband Pete) of Clovis, N.M. Grandchildren; Daniel Garcia of Canyon, TX, Jacob Garcia of Clovis, N.M., Joseph Garcia of Portales, N.M., Francisco Edwardo Araque of Albuquerque, N.M., Jeff Cleveland of Houston, TX, Joel Cleveland of Albuquerque, N.M. Siblings; Mike Garcia of Albuquerque, N.M., Augustine Garcia of Columbus, GA, Arcelia Gutierrez of Clovis, N.M., Antonia Peaden of Albuquerque, N.M., Gabriel Garcia of Santa Fe, N.M.,
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