Joseph Garcia

May 3, 1931 — February 7, 2008

Joe was born on May 3, 1931 to Ignacio and Belarmina (Buznego) Garcia in Brooklyn, New York. He grew up in Brooklyn helping his father and uncles with the family business of hand-rolled cigars. Joe graduated from Brooklyn Boys High School where he was a member of the City Boys Choir. He attended New York University prior to entering the Air Force in 1952. While stationed at Forbes Air Force Base here in Topeka, he met Estelle E. Eschmann and was married. From that union came eight children: Christina S. (Thomas) Schrick, Colby, KSThomas P. (Bobbi) Garcia, Topeka, KSNancy G. (Wesley) Guessford, Arlington, TXJames S. (Carla) Garcia, Topeka, KSRobert L. (Kristi) Garcia, Manchester, MOLinda A. (Kevin) Ott, Kansas City, MORev. John J. (Kelly) Garcia, West Bend, WIConnie M. (Curtis) Wagers, Saginaw, TX Following his years in the Air Force, Joe worked for Van Doren, Hazard, Stalling and Schnake engineering firm in Topeka as a draftsman. In 1964, he was among a group of engineering technicians that established the American Society of Certified Engineering Technicians (ASCET), serving as the national Regional Vice-President, President of the Kansas Chapter and Executive Director of the ASCET Information Center. Joe began his teaching career when he started Planning Associates Technical School in his home in 1963. He was the first technical-drafting instructor at Kaw Area Vocational-Technical School from 1968-1978. From 1978-1995, he was the personnel director at Midwest Machine Works here in Topeka. Following the death of Estelle in 1984, he married Alvina H. Eggelston who brought three additional children to the family: Teresa L. (Frank) Larson, Nixa, MOVaughnita J. (Harlan) Withington, Rogers, ARCrystal L. Crihfield, Liberty, MO Two of Joes’ many accomplishments were his involvement with the Boy Scouts of America and obtaining his BA from Washburn University. Joe was involved with the Boy Scouts for 30 years in the capacity of scout leader, trainer of adults and served as the Camp Director at Camp Jayhawk from 1970-1972. At the age of 68, Joe completed a fifty year quest to obtain a college degree. President Jerry Farley at Joes’ graduation remarked that Joe was a “personification of lifelong learning”. Joe was a member of the White Lakes Optimist, and was a Charter member of St. Matthew’s Catholic Church. He is preceded in death by his parents, Estelle and Alvina, a sister Bal Mayen and brother-in-laws Joe Mayen and Jerome Eschmann. He is survived by his children and step-daughters, 19 grandchildren, 7 step-grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren. Joe will lie in state at the Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home on Sunday after 2:00 p.m. where the family will receive friends from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. and a Parish Rosary will be recited at 6:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday at 11:00 a.m. at St. Matthew’s Catholic Church. Interment will follow in Mount Calvary Cemetery with military honors conducted by Philip Billard Post 1650 of the V.F.W. Memorial contributions are suggested to the Cotton-O’Neil Heart Center or to St. Matthew’s Catholic Church and sent in care of Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home, 800 West Sixth Ave., Topeka, Kansas 66603.

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Joseph Garcia

May 3, 1931 — February 7, 2008

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