In Loving Memory of Andrew Delfino Garcia

Andrew Delfino Garcia, Obituary

Andrew Delfino Garcia, lifelong resident of Clayton, NM passed away peacefully at home on Monday, October 28, 2024, at the age of 84 years old with the love of his life Rose Lee and his children Jackie, Lissa, Andrea & Andrew Jr. by his side.

Services:  The Holy Rosary will be recited at 10:00AM on Friday, November 15, at the St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Clayton, NM. Mass of Christian Burial will follow 10:30 AM with Fr. Joji Konkala as celebrant, then burial at the Clayton Memorial Cemetery. A luncheon and reception in Andrew’s honor will be held at the Clayton Civic Center following the services.

Andrew was born on February 4, 1940, to Escolastica (Essie) and Geraldo Saturnino (Seth) Garcia in Clayton, NM.  He was the eldest of nine children.

Andrew attended Clayton Public Schools in the 40s and 50s and earned his GED certificate in 1977 at Clayton High School.  He left high school early to care for his family after his beloved father passed away unexpectantly. Andrew learned the value of hard work very early in life having followed the same carpentry profession as his father, uncles and grandfather.  Andrew proudly served in the U.S. Army National Guard for eight years as a young man.

While attending school in Clayton, Andrew met the love of his life in the 4th grade, Rose Lee Taylor. The two were married on June 27, 1959, and would be nearly inseparable for more than 65 years. Rose Lee, a homemaker was his constant companion, his darling, his best friend and would take him breakfast and lunch at work daily at his various jobsites.  Together they raised their four children and happily cared for their four grandchildren every summer in Clayton: Michael, Amanda, Kyle and Wesley.   They also greatly enjoyed caring for their seven beloved great-grandchildren Kaden, Chayse, Laci, Avery, Reese, Seth & Joe B.

Andrew & Rose Lee had three daughters and one son that were the pride and joy of his life. They were raised in Clayton and Andrew & Rose Lee stayed with their adult children for many months after his retirement to build and remodel each of their homes in Santa Fe, Albuquerque and Las Vegas, NV.

Andrew was a perfectionist, a finish carpenter and builder.  In his early career, he built many houses in Clayton from the ground up. With his favorite tool, a hammer in hand, Andrew & Rose Lee moved to Albuquerque in the early 60s when Andrew was recruited to build apartment homes.  After a year stay, they returned back home to Clayton to be near their families with their three little girls at that time. Their son was born later in Dalhart, TX in 1971.

Andrew was big, strong, courageous and smart. He drew his own blueprints, helped build the original Ranger Station & Housing at Capulin Volcano National Monument and designed the Farmer’s & Stockman’s satellite branch bank in Des Moines.  He also remodeled many homes and shared his craft, artistry with the community by decorating his “pumpkin bush” for the Trick or Treaters in Clayton each year and for many years, took great joy in showcasing a spectacular Christmas display at 802 Walnut Street, complete with handmade, custom decorations.

In 1971 he went to work for the Clayton Public Schools as the Maintenance Director and retired in 1999. Andrew taught his carpentry skills to many. His son, grandsons, and nephews Jimmie Lloyd Taylor & Lee Cruz followed Andrew’s trade. Andrew proudly served as a Commissioner on the Housing Authority of the Town of Clayton in the 70s, an affordable housing program developed by the U.S. Dept. of Housing & Urban Development (HUD).  He was proud to always help the citizens of Clayton, NM.

Woodworking was his favorite hobby. He made wooden toys for his grandchildren and others in the family. Andrew also enjoyed fishing at Clayton Lake and the Pecos Wilderness. A Parkinson’s disease and COPD diagnosis five years ago meant that Andrew had to slow down. He watched countless episodes of Gunsmoke and other Westerns on TV.  His favorite show was Andy Griffith and his favorite movie was The Blues Brothers.  Andrew loved Country & Spanish music and was a phenomenal dancer. He also loved watching college football on TV, went to see Norte Dame play once with his buddies at a hometown Colorado game and was an avid Dallas Cowboy football fan with his son Andrew, Jr.

Andrew was a lifelong member of the St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Clayton, where he was baptized, confirmed and married. He lived by the example set in the Bible, he helped others constantly, was very generous and was his family’s trusted guiding light. He was gentle, kind, honest, trustworthy, and loving.  Andrew received Viaticum (holy communion) and the Holy Sacrament of Last Rites at home two days before he passed by Father Joji Konkala. On Sundays he received holy communion at home and was visited by Father Joseph Baltz who administered the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick to Andrew before he left Clayton for a new assignment.  The family is grateful to the Catholic Church, priests and home Eucharist minister Shelley Britt Carter.

Andrew put God above everything else and Rose Lee right by his side. He will be remembered many ways, but by those closest to him, as their hero and protector, an example of how to be a very good and honorable man and great servant of God. A Grandpa who could “create, make and fix anything”.

The Garcia family is extremely grateful for the excellent and compassionate hospice care of Robin Pilley, RN, Anvoi Compassionate Health Care from Raton, NM as well as Jana Blan’s ongoing support providing oxygen equipment from the Union County General Hospital in Clayton.

Andrew’s family will remember him as a man of God, a truly devoted and loving husband, father, father-in-law, grand-father, great-grandfather, brother, brother-in-law, cousin and uncle. His big heart, his beautiful thick perfectly groomed white hair, mustache, smile, big hands, broad shoulders and handsome looks will never be forgotten.

The family is receiving family, friends, condolences and flowers at the home of Rose Lee Garcia, 802 Walnut Street, Clayton, NM 88415, Phone:  575-374-2283.

Isaiah 44:13 The carpenter stretcheth out his rule; he marketh it out with a line; he fitteth it with planes, and he marketh it out with the compass, and maketh it after the figure of a man, according to the beauty of a man; that it may remain in the house.”

May the Lord Jesus Christ protect and lead Andrew to eternal life.

In addition to his parents Escolastica (Essie) and Geraldo Saturnino (Seth) Garcia, Andrew was preceded in death by his beloved brothers George (April 2024) and Jerry (April 1982).

Andrew is survived by his wife, Rose Lee Garcia, three daughters Jackie Padilla (Michael), Lissa Garcia Lucht and Andrea Lansford (Brian) and son Andrew Garcia Jr. (Kelly), four grandchildren, Michael Andrew Padilla Jr. (Janice), Amanda Molina (Paul), Kyle Henderson and Wesley Lansford (Liz), seven grandchildren, Kaden Andrew and Laci Henderson, Chayse Andrew, Avery and Reese Molina and Seth and Joe B. Lansford, his sisters, Barbara Marquez, Rose Cruz, Dorothy Cruz, Delia Taylor, Harriett Trujillo (Albert/Pepe) and Charlotte Lovato, in-laws Clem Aragon, Jimmie Taylor, Sam Taylor, Joan Taylor, Marie Morra (Trinidad) & Michael Taylor and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and many extended family and friends.

Survivors:
Wife: Rose Lee Garcia
3 Daughters: Jackie Padilla (Mike), Lissa Garcia Lucht, Andrea Lansford (Brian)
1 Son: Andrew Seth Lloyd Garcia (Kelly)
4 Grandchildren: Michael Andrew Padilla (Janice), Amanda Molina (Paul), Kyle Henderson and Wesley Lansford (Liz)
7 Great-Grandchildren: Kaden Andrew & Laci Henderson, Chayse Andrew, Avery & Reese Molina and Seth & Joe B. Lansford
6 Sisters: Barbara Marquez, Rose Cruz, Dorothy Cruz, Delia Taylor, Harriett Trujillo (Albert/Pepe) & Charlotte Lovato
In-laws: Clem Aragon, Jimmie Taylor, Sam Taylor, Joan Taylor, Marie Morra (Trinidad) & Michael Taylor

Nephews & Nieces: numerous on the Taylor & Garcia sides of the family

Many Extended Family & Friends

Arrangements for Andrew Delfino Garcia are under the direction of the Alderette-Pomeroy Funeral Home.