Joseph Michael Garcia died on Wednesday, July 27, 2022. He was born in Willows to John Michael “Mike” and Loeva “Elaine” (Ward) Garcia on Sept. 22, 1966.
He grew up in Bayliss and attended school in Willows. After graduating from Willows High School in 1984, he made his way to Biggs, where he helped his grandparents, John and Mary Garcia, farm rice.
He eventually purchased his grandparents’ farm and continued the family legacy in Biggs.
Joe was an active member of the community in Biggs and Gridley. He volunteered with the Biggs Fire Department for 12 years, he was an active member of the Gridley Moose Lodge, and spent his Monday nights during the past 20-plus years of football season with his buddies at the Monday Night Football Club.
He was married to the love of his life, Teresa “Teri” Ann Garcia, for the past 16 years. Together they spent most of their weekends in LaPorte, which was their “Happy Place” where Joe was a volunteer at the LaPorte Fire Department, a past Snowmobile Club President, and where he operated the snow groomer in the winter, which was one of the great joys in his life.
Joe had a great love for the outdoors. He especially loved being in the mountains of Plumas County, where he and his wife would spend hours on the back roads, exploring.
He was an avid hunter and fisherman. He enjoyed out of state elk hunts with his buddies and fishing at all the local fishing holes. In his younger days, he rode dirt bikes and loved to be in the mountains in the winter on his snow mobile.
He gave of his time for events and assisting anyone who asked for his help with his barbecuing or cooking skills. He loved to feed the people he cared about.
He loved his family and friends deeply.
He is survived by his bride, Teri; children Garret (Sierra) and Jacob, both of Gridley, Nick (Tanya) Becci of Biggs, Michelle (Brad) Royle of Reno, Nev., and Michael Becci of Gridley; brothers Ryan Garcia of Oroville, and Mathew (Cherie) Garcia of Bayliss; nieces Courtney Garcia, Katie (Justin) Hamilton and Kendyl Garcia; and nephew Colby Garcia.
Joe was the best Papa to three beautiful granddaughters who he loved so much, and they just adored him: Adela and Abrielle Becci, and Jillian Bench. These little girls meant the world to him.
Joe was preceded in death by his grandparents, John and Mary Garcia, and James “Red” and Loeva Ward; and father John Michael “Mike” Garcia.
A viewing is scheduled for 9 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 11, with services following at 10 a.m. at the Willows First Baptist Church, 154 North Lassen Street. A celebration of his life is planned at noon at the Gridley Moose Lodge on Highway 99 East.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Joe’s memory to the LaPorte Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 180, Clipper Mills, CA 95930.
The Glenn County Observer 