Michael J. Garcia Jr.

MICHAEL JOHN GARCIA, JR., was born November 18, 1961 to Joseph Michael and Helen Elaine (Erickson) Garcia in Phoenix, Arizona. He was baptized in Phoenix, Arizona. As a young boy, he moved with his family to Coeur d'Alene, Idaho where he was raised and attended school. After he graduated from Coeur d'Alene High School in 1980, he enlisted and served in the United States Marine Corps. He was stationed in San Diego where he met Tamara Peterson. The couple was united in marriage on June 14, 1986 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Their union was blessed with three children; Joshua, Katherine, and Stacie. They made their home for a short time in Anaheim, California. They later moved to Coeur d'Alene. While in Coeur d'Alene, Mike worked as a heavy equipment operator for the county sanitation department. In 1996, the couple moved to Jasper, Minnesota. On November 23, 2000, Tamara died. After her death, Mike continued to live at their home in Jasper. On Easter Sunday, April 24, 2011, Mike was injured in a fire at his home and transferred to the Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He died there on April 26, 2011 at the age of 49 years, five months and eight days.

Mike enjoyed fast cars, motorcycles, and NASCAR. He also enjoyed hunting, fishing and skiing. He especially enjoyed the time spent with his family. Most of all, he adored his granddaughter Alyssa who was his pride and joy.

Michael will be lovingly remembered by his three children, Joshua Garcia and his wife Sonya and their daughter Alyssa of Jasper, Minnesota, Katherine Garcia and her fianc Austin Hawes of Edgerton, Minnesota, and Stacie Garcia of Jasper, Minnesota; his father, Joseph Michael Garcia and his wife Barbara of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho; two brothers, Gene Garcia of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, and Joseph Garcia of Wyoming; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Tamara; his mother, Helen; his sister, Mary Ann Garcia; his paternal grandmother, Mary Ann Bailey; and his maternal grandmother, Charlotte Erickson.