Ramon (Ray) Nava Garcia

Ramon (Ray) N. Garcia, 84, passed away on Friday, May 14th surrounded by his loving family.  He was born on November 2, 1936 in Asherton, Texas to José Quiroga and Benigna (Nava) Garcia.  He attended Oakdale School and worked on his family’s farm.  He married Marcia Roman on October 17, 1959 in Toledo, Ohio.  He served in the US Army in the 82nd Airborne Division as a Paratrooper and then another 4 years in the Reserves until 1962 when he was Honorably Discharged.  He was an avid race car driver.  He also built and drove go carts when he was younger.  He retired from Chrysler/Jeep after 30 years of service on June 30, 1993.  He had different jobs while at Jeep; he worked on the line, was a Steward, Executive Committeeman, and forklift driver.  He enjoyed retirement doing all that he loved most, camping, fishing, golfing, bowling, pool, poker and of course corn hole with his family.  One of our favorite places to go in the summers/on vacations was to Ludington, Michigan where we made many wonderful family memories.  He was very involved with the UAW, FLOC (Farm Labor Organizing Committee, AFL-CIO) and the Latino’s Club.  He received a Good Samaritan Award for not only pulling a young girl from her burning home but giving her CPR until she responded.  That thoughtfulness and deep concern for another human being is who he was.  Our father found salvation by confessing his faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and that GOD hath raised him from the dead. Amen.

Ramon was the last living child of his parents. His siblings:  Aurora, Ricardo, Benita, Benny, Juanita, Chana, Bonifacia, Ramona, Cirilo (Bill), John, Tomasa and Jesus.  He was also preceded in death by his beloved wife, Marcia (Roman) Garcia and his great grandson, Gavin Turski.

He is survived by his children, Tina-Marie (RayRay) Peart, Anna-Maria (Joe) Turski, Bonnie (Larry Sr.) Billups, Tammy (Lynn) Garcia, Raymond (Linda) Garcia, 21 grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren, 6 great, great grandchildren, 5 grand furbabies and longtime friend Elba McArrell.

The family will receive friends and family whose lives Ray touched from 4-8 p.m. on Wednesday, May 19 at Sujkowski Funeral Home Northpointe, 114 E. Alexis Rd., Toledo, OH. Viewing will also be held Thursday at 9 a.m. at the funeral home, followed by the Funeral Mass at 10 a.m. at Our Lady Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Cathedral, 2535 Collingwood Blvd, Toledo, OH. Interment will follow in Restlawn Memorial Park, 3665 Genoa Road, Perrysburg, OH with Military Honors led by the VFW 606 Burial Corps.  There will be a wake at Conn-Weissenberger American Legion Post, 2020 W Alexis Road to celebrate the life of Ramon (Ray) N. Garcia.

The family would like to express our thanks for the wonderful help and care given by Hospice of Northwest Ohio towards the end.  He was a resident of Swanton Healthcare & Retirement Center for the last four years. If desired, friends may make memorial contributions to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital or Hospice of Northwest Ohio. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.sujkowski.com.