Ernest Felix Garcia

1929 - 2023

July 20, 1929 - April 5, 2023 Ernest was born in Colton, CA on July 20, 1929, to Apolonio Garcia and Guadalupe Felix Garcia, immigrants from Sinaloa, Mexico. He grew up in Colton, attending elementary and junior high school, graduating Colton High School in 1948, and was one of the speakers at the graduation ceremony. He continued his education, at San Bernardino Valley College and was admitted to the University of Redlands; however, was activated from the Air National Guard and served in Japan during the Korean Conflict. After his return from Japan, he and Dorothy Morrison were married in August of 1952. The two of them began their teaching careers on "emergency" credentials in the Barstow School District, while continuing their educational paths. In 1954, he enrolled at the new University of California, Riverside, and graduated with a bachelor's degree in1955 as a member of the first graduating class, and first Hispanic, going on to receive a Master's degree at the University of Redlands. He continued his career in education, both as a teacher and administrator in Barstow, Mission Demonstration School in Redlands, SBVC, University of Redlands Summer Demonstration School and Rialto School District. While serving as an administrator in Rialto, he began working toward his doctorate in education at UCLA, achieving that distinction in 1966, after which he taught at the Univ. of Redlands as Professor of Education for two years, then was recruited to the faculty at the new California State University, San Bernardino, where he taught many prospective teachers and administrators, eventually being chosen as Dean of the School of Education at CSUSB, a position he held for 11 years, retiring in 1990. In addition, Dr. Garcia served on the Rialto School District Board of Trustees from 1970-1979, and an elementary school in RUSD bears his name. In 2018, he received the Living Legacy Award from the Rialto School District Board of Trustees. His parents were members of the Baptist Church of South Colton, where he became proficient in reading Spanish, which he already spoke fluently. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church since his high school days, and currently a member of the 1st Presbyterian Church of San Bernardino. His book, "Growing Up Aleluya" includes many stories about his early life in South Colton. Ernie was a long time member of Kiwanis, first in Rialto and then as Lt. Governor of Division 36 of the California-Nevada-Hawaii District in 1968, during which time he organized several new clubs, including Kiwanis of Greater San Bernardino, of which he had been a member since its beginning. Ernest was always interested and involved in the arts. As a teenager, he played the saxophone and clarinet in dance bands, and in jazz and Latino groups in the 1950s; sang with church choirs, the Inland Master Chorale and the Canto Bello Chorale for many years. and was in the cast of several plays. He served on the SB Symphony Board for many years, during which time he assisted in forming Sinfonia Mexicana, serving as President of that Board in 1986 and again in 1990. He served as Chair of the Arts on the Board of the Natl. Orange Show until 2020, and in that capacity, was the curator of the Orange Show's Permanent Art Collection, and coordinated the annual All-California Art competition and show, also was a member of the San Bernardino Art Assn. He was President of the SB Valley Concert Assn. several times, and in that role, developed the Garcia Center for the Arts in 2015, serving as the volunteer Executive Director until his retirement in July of 2020, and was instrumental in beginning Symphonie Jeunesse, a youth strings orchestra in San Bernardino. He also was involved in the development of the Natl. Orange Show Art Gallery, which was named for him on his birthday in 2019. Among his many community activities, he served on the Board of the Natl. Orange Show, as the first Hispanic President in 1996, and continued on the Board until his recent death. He was appointed to the initial Board of Inland Empire Health Plan, and participated in its formation. Recently, in conjunction with the opening of the Cheech Marin Center for Chicano Art and Culture in Riverside, Ernie received the Chicano Community Award from UNIDOS of Riverside. Always involved with the Mexican-American community, he served on the Advisory Committee for the Mexican-American Education Study for the Commission on Civil Rights in Washington, DC, 1968-1972, and was State President of the Association of Mexican American Educators in 1968. He was a friend of the Mexican Consulate in San Bernardino, and received the OCHLI Medal of Recognition from the Consulate in 2020. He was recognized by the Latino Education Advocacy Days with the Padrino Award in 2012, and with Libreria del Pueblo Award in 2013. it was important to him to maintain fluency in speaking, reading, and writing in Spanish, and he served as a mentor to many of Mexican heritage. Ernest Garcia was predeceased by his parents and his siblings: Hilda Garcia, David Garcia, and Eva Garcia Knabe. He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Dorothy; his sons Steven (Diane), Timothy, and Patrick (Deon) and his grandchildren Zachary (Candace); Emma (Wilson Hartsock); Katelyn, Grant (Rachel); and Matthew. A memorial service will be held Saturday, April 29th, 1:00 P.M. at the Presbyterian Church, 1900 No. D Street, San Bernardino. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Ernie Garcia Teacher Education Scholarship at CSUSB College of Education, payable to CSUSB Philanthropic Fdn., 5500 University Parkway, San Bernardino, CA 92407; or the 1st Presbyterian Church of San Bernardino, PO Box 2729, San Bernardino 92406, or SBVCA-Garcia Center for the Arts, PO Box 377, San Bernardino 92402 (or online).