Juan Garcia, age 49, of Lakin, Kansas died Monday, October 28, 2013 at the Kearny County Hospital in Lakin, Kansas. He was born January 10, 1964 in Lockney, Texas, the son of Ernesto and Esperanza (Garcia) Garcia.
Juan grew up in Ulysses and attended Ulysses schools. He worked for Micro Solutions mixing chemicals. Juan was a rodeo clown. He was a world champion barrel man for IPRA in 2003, 2008 and 2009. He served on the Beef Empire Days Rodeo and the All-American Beef Battalion committees. Juan also drove the limousine for Old Fashioned Limo Service, volunteered with Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Miles of Smiles and at Garden Valley Retirement.
He is survived by his son, Preston Carr and wife Jennifer of Garden City, Kansas; mother, Esperanza Garcia of Ulysses, Kansas; brothers, Wally Garcia and wife Dora of Garden City, Kansas, Luis Garcia and wife Hortensia of Ulysses, Kansas, Ernie Garcia and wife Cindy of Ulysses, Kansas; sisters, Mary Valdez and husband Joe of Ulysses, Kansas, Irene Garcia Nieto and husband Jesus of Ulysses, Kansas, Salome Perez and husband Bob of Lakin, Kansas; two grandchildren, Bryan Carr and Samuel “Popeye” Martinez.
Juan is preceded in death by his father, grandparents, and sister, Pauline Garcia.
Vigil service will be held Friday, November 1, 2013 at 7:00 PM at Garnand Funeral Home Chapel and funeral mass will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, November 2, 2013 at Mary, Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Ulysses, Kansas with Reverend Peter Fernandez officiating. Interment will follow at the Ulysses Cemetery in Ulysses, Kansas. Friends may call from 10:00 AM until 8:00 PM on Thursday, October 31, 2013 and Friday, November 1, 2013 at Garnand Funeral Home in Ulysses. Memorial contributions may be given to the Juan Garcia Memorial Fund in care of Garnand Funeral Home, 405 W. Grant Ave, Ulysses, KS 67880.