Todd Garcia Obituary

Todd Allen Garcia, of Minot, ND, formerly of Cortez, CO, died Aug. 12, 2016 at his home at the age of 49. He was born on March 7, 1967 in Alamosa, CO to Rosemary (Wilson) and Bob Garcia. His parents later divorced, but the Garcias remained in his life. His mother married Todd's stepfather, Sam Dayzie, and Todd attended kindergarten in Alamosa at Sacred Heart Catholic School. His sister Andrea Dayzie was also born in Alamosa. The family moved to Tuba City, AZ in 1973 where Todd attended grades 1-8. He thoroughly embraced the native culture. At the time of his death, he was still in contact with many of his friends there. He moved with his family to Cortez where he graduated from Montezuma-Cortez High School in 1985. He ran cross-country track and played football. He joined the National Guard during his junior year. He attended Adams State College in Alamosa for several years and then enlisted in the Air Force. This took him to Biloxi, Miss.; Wichita Falls, TX; and the Phoenix, AZ area. He also served in Desert Storm. During his service years he was trained in radiology, ultrasound and nuclear medicine. Todd was proud to serve his country and was a proud patriot.

After he left the Air Force he moved to Hood River, OR, and then to Minot, ND where he worked in the medical field. At the time of his death he was employed as a maintenance specialist for the missile silos at Minot Air Force Base. He enjoyed having the opportunity to explore a new profession at this time in his life. Todd loved nature and enjoyed camping, hunting, fishing and golf. He and his wife Brenda enjoyed traveling around the state golfing. In North Dakota some of his favorite times were spent ice fishing in his beloved Ice Castle. His hunting dogs were Brownie and Darla. He always stayed in touch with the Mercure family in Cortez. Duane Hoskins, Alex Morris and Cara Rieb were special friends too, among many. Todd was an extrovert with a great sense of humor, a radiant smile and a big heart, and he made many friends wherever he went. He will be greatly missed.

Todd is survived by his wife Brenda, 2 sons Dalton and Ryker; 2 step-sons Seth (friend Brittany Degree) and Cole Hanenberg; his parents Sam and Rosemary Dayzie and Bob Garcia; Todd's brother Aaron Garcia; stepmother Bonnie; father and mother-in-law Gene and Reyne Buri; maternal aunts and uncles: Lee Wilson; Marsha and Tim Gallagher; John and Candy Wilson; Brenda and Mitch O'steen; and his great-aunt Hazel Snider; paternal aunts and uncles: Ron and Linda Garcia; Vera and Jerry Crispin; Dorothee and Wallace Enos; James and Marvene Dayzie; Bernadette Engler; and Gene and Vickie Dayzie; brothers-in-law Rodney (Peggy) Buri and Derrick Buri; sisters-in-law: Denise (Danny) Schuler; Elizabeth (Brad) Bruner; Anna Marie (Chad) Marquart; great-grandmother-in-law Helen Weninger; friends Jay and Halle Hendrickson and family, and many others, as well as nieces, nephews and cousins.

Todd was preceded in death by his sister Andrea Dayzie; his grandparents who all influenced his life: Norma and Leland Wilson; Bertha and Jim Garcia; and Bertha and Tom Dayzie; aunts Dorinda and Pearlene Dayzie and Irene Benally and husband Ned.

Visitation and prayer service were held on Aug. 16, 2016 at Thompson-Larson Funeral Home in Minot and a Mass of Christian Burial on Aug. 17 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Foxholm, followed by inurnment on Aug. 19 at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery in Mandan, ND. Memorials can be made for Todd to St. Mary's Catholic Church in Foxholm, ND.