Dora Cota Garcia

Dora Cota Garcia

Tulare - Our beloved mother and grandmother Dora Cota Garcia went to God's heavenly gates on January 14, 2021 of natural causes at the age of 89 in Visalia, California.

She was born and raised in Tulare to Rev. Epifanio Moraga Cota and Guadalupe Hernandez Cota. She married her soulmate, Gilbert Garcia on August 4, 1956. Dora was the most kind, loving, funny, generous, and caring mother and grandmother. She enjoyed making people laugh and socializing with everyone she met. By the end of a conversation with her, you would either call her Grandma Dora or Aunt Dora because she made you feel fortunate to know her. She enjoyed raising her kids and working in the food service for 40 plus years. Spending time with grandkids and family was her favorite pastime. She spoiled her grandkids with hugs and kisses. Her heart was her family more precious than gold. Dora loved singing and dancing with her duet partner and husband Gilbert. "You Are My Sunshine" was her favorite song she would sing to her family. Dora and Gilbert could spend hours singing their favorite songs outside on their front lawn. She was also a whiz at solving word search puzzles and Sudoku games. Her memory was so keen and sharp as she could remember details no one else could. Dora also savored the times she went to the casino. She had all her good luck charms at her specific machine in their specific place. Dora loved life and felt so blessed with what she had. She embraced the simple things in life. Her energy, strength, sense of humor, and perseverance was inspiring and she will be remembered as the "life of the party." She was like no other, and we were so blessed to have her and her unconditional love in our lives.

Dora is survived by her son Mark Garcia and his wife Josie of Beaumont, CA, and her daughters

Christine Garcia of Tulare, Nancy Galaviz and her husband Frank of Tulare, Sonya Garcia Karr and her husband Eric of Twins Falls, Idaho, and Ernestine Ojeda of Santa Ana. Her daughter-in-law Connie Garcia of Santa Ana and son-in-law, Mando Sandoval of Visalia, California. Thirteen grandchildren: Gilbert Garcia III, Teresa Ortiz, Serena Garcia, Francine Heller and her husband Eric, Norma Padilla and her husband Sean, Josie Martinez and her husband Jose, Frank Galaviz Jr., Greg Galaviz, Karina Lopez and her husband Anthony, Evan Garcia, Lance Karr, and Ariana Karr. Twenty great grandchildren and eight great, great grandchildren, and one great, great, great grandchild.

Dora was preceded in death by her sons Gilbert Garcia Jr. and Daniel Garcia, her daughter Sarah Garcia Sandoval, two grandsons Edward Ortiz and Joseph Ortiz, granddaughter, Eva Ortiz and great-granddaughter Kayla Garcia.

Visitation will be from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Salser & Dillard Funeral Chapel 127 E. Caldwell Ave., Visalia, CA on Thursday, February 4, 2021. Graveside service will be at 11:00 AM on Friday, February 5, 2021 at the Tulare North Cemetery, 4572 North J Street, Tulare.

Services have been entrusted to Salser & Dillard Funeral Chapel. Memorial Tributes and condolences may be offered by logging onto www.salseranddillard.com.