Print
Category: Obituaries Obituaries
Published: 14 March 2024 14 March 2024

scan0195scan0196It is with profound and heartfelt sadness that we announce the passing of Manuel (Manny) Garcia and his beloved wife Dora Chavez Garcia.

Manny was born on June 20,1944 to Calxitro and Trinidad Porras Garcia, in Central, New Mexico now known as Santa Clara, he was the fourth of eight siblings. Manny attended grade school in Central and graduated from Cobre High School.

Dora was born on May 10, 1947 to Manuel and Mickey Chavez in Silver City, and was the youngest of 3 children. She attended St Mary’s Academy, and the local public schools, also attending Silver High School. She graduated from beauty school in Las Cruces and worked as a beautician in Silver City and Albuquerque.

Manny and Dora married in 1966, and were married for 58 years. After living in and working in Silver City, they moved to Albuquerque working and raising their family Eventually moving to California where Manny worked in the Airline industry, among them Lockheed, North American and finally retiring from Boeing. Dora worked 20 years for a stamp company as assistant to the owner/president, and retired when the company moved to New York. They are survived by their children Sandra Garcia and Manuel Jr. and by their grandchildren.

Sandra’s children, Steven Estrella and his significant other Dani, his daughter Raylene, and Dani’s children Christina and Sergio. Matthew, his finance Jennifer and their son Anakin also his children Zoey and Zane. And Paul Estrella, all of Chino, CA.

Manny Jr. and his wife Shauna and their children Manny the III, and Aaron, of Arlington, Texas.

Manuel (Manny) is also survived by his sisters, Jenny Zamora, Tommy (deceased), Frances and Sal Beltran, Maria Ellena, husband, Chris (deceased). Brothers, Jody and wife Lydia, Roque and his wife Katy, and Ernie and his wife Judy.

Dora is survived by her brother Robert (Bobby) Chavez and his partner Rosalinda, and her sister Delia Chavez Bourguet.

Dora was preceded in death by her husband Manny by only twenty days. He passed from complications of covid and repertory problems and she suffered a devastating stroke nine days after Manny’s death. Also preceded by her parents, Manuel and Mickey Chavez. Manny is preceded in death by his parents Calixtro and Trinidad Garcia, and his eldest brother Calixtro.

Both were preceded by beloved grandson Raymond Estrella and nieces Michelle Reene Ponce, and Gloria Chavez, nephew Dillon Chavez. Many beloved Aunts and Uncles, and cousins. They are both loved by an abundance of cousins, nieces and nephews and extended family members and friends on both sides of their families.

Some of their favorite times were vacationing in their home towns, visiting with their extended families, and friends, joking, laughing, enjoying a good enchilada, even at sad events there was always that love that they cherished and that made their hearts joyful.

Manny’s favorite pastime was attending baseball games in different stadiums, with the whole family, or sitting in his recliner watching tv and yelling at the players while watching baseball or football, with Dora sitting on the loveseat adding her two cents worth and sometimes both being thoroughly disgusted with the outcome, but always ready for another game so the players could redeem themselves and make them proud. At least that’s how he saw it !!!!!. He was such an easy-going guy, one cousin describing him as a gentle man, and that he was. They were always together.

Dora enjoyed talking on the phone every night with her sister, Delia, and discussing and critiquing the latest novella, (soap opera) they were both watching, and agreeing that could and should write a better novella and they would title it “As the stomach turns” that would start them laughing. Their love and sisterly bond are unbreakable. Our love and memories of them will sustain all of us.

They will be eternally missed by their families and friends and especially by their grandsons, whom he referred to as “grandpa’s boys and their great-granddaughter Raylene whom he called his “Princess.”

Dora and Manny went about their lives raising their children and grandchildren showing them unconditional love and always family first.

According to their wishes they will be cremated.

The families wishes to extended their heartfelt THANK YOU to every one who has reached out to the two families with their condolences, prayers, texts, phone calls, and food, in this unbelievable, unexpected and sorrowful time.

GOD BLESS YOU ALL.