Nickolas (Nick) Noe Garcia
Nickolas (Nick) Noe Garcia passed away on June 18, 2005 from injuries sustained in an automobile accident. Nick was born to Flor and Raymond Garcia on March 30, 1986 in Othello. Nick began his schooling in Moses Lake entering the first grade at Garden Heights Elementary. Nick was a 2004 graduate of Moses Lake High School and had just finished his freshman year at Eastern Washington University where he was majoring in pre-dentistry. Nick was a member of the Sigma Nu fraternity (because there is a difference). Nick was a loving son, brother, nephew and grandson and a friend to many. Nick had an infectious smile and he lit up the lives of all those he came in contact with.
Nick was senior class president 2004, and was involved in many civic activities throughout high school and college. He was involved in many sports throughout his elementary and high school years, including team captain in track; he wrestled in middle school and was a captain of the Chiefs football team. Nick was a black belt in Shudokan Karate-do beginning his training at 6 years old. He had the honor of training with Sensei Mabuni, Shihan Walter Todd, Sensei Fumio Demura, his hero Shihan Morris Mack of Yakima and his primary teacher, Sensei Terry Stone of Yakima.
Nick loved to play the guitar, he received his first guitar for Christmas two years ago and it was amazing to hear the tunes he could play for being a beginner. The first song he taught himself to play was "More Than Words" by Extreme. This was a song his father would sing to him when Nick was 5 years old. The guitarist for Extreme was Nuno Bettencourt, a student of the Julliard School of Music. This is an example of what Nick accomplished on the guitar. He was his father's buddy, his mother's hero and his siblings "Big Bro." His mother loved when he called her "Ma."
His jokes were corny but with his smile it didn't even matter, with his affectionate smile he achieved anything. His love and caring for plants showed that he was full of life and lived the best of it. As a loving brother he was like most big brothers, you couldn't touch his things and you never went in his room, even though you wanted to explore inside of it and see what an older brother was to have laying around. But like everyone, you respect that, you look up to him and he is your shining star. I know he was mine. Many times on cold nights I could go outside to see Nick laying on the hood of my mom's car or laying in the grass just looking at the stars. We would stare at the stars and into the night for hours, just looking at the beauty of the world. He always had something smart to say, being a straight A student since the eighth grade. He showed me many pictures in the sky he had learned from school and knowing the sky so well.
Nick loved his peace and being a teenager it was normal to have spots you would go to to calm down or relax. Well, with Nick it was something different because when he did so he fell in love with all the surroundings of nature. Anyone who knew him could even tell you that, he watched many sunrises, sunsets, and just the middle of the day where he could see the entire world had for him to explore. And he did, he captured a moment and he painted it or drew it, he even took pictures when he didn't have much time and later painted it. With Nick you could just feel the beauty that he sensed when you were next to him, he would gaze into mountains as if he was there, and never thought of it before but now I know, all those times he was there, his imagination took him there, and you could tell and a bright sunny day or on a rainy day. Those days were like worth a million bucks to Nick and he took them in like they were never going to come back. To Nick, being in a house was a waste of time, Nick realized that things can happen unexpectedly and he took control of it, you would rarely maybe once a week see Nick on the couch watching TV in his shorts and without a shirt, and even then he was usually on the Discovery channel which was showing him places he'd like to visit. When Nick was old enough he was always out of the house, he went camping tons of times, and when he did he would go camping, boating, fishing and taking in the good life. Nick had everything and more you could find in a wise man. It just goes to show how he took in every moment in his life and captured it, made something out of nothing, small into big, worthless into great. Love your lil' bro, Ramon.
Nick was like our guardian angel he had his soft side he was very out going. When he came home for summer he was like "stop what you guys are doing come on clean up before Dad gets home, this is a mess." He loved watching the sun go down he loved to paint pictures such as Mt. Rainier, Nirvana, Incubus, just stuff that he enjoyed in life. I still remember the nights he would stay up doing homework and last year when we went to Priest Lake, me, him and my brother Ramon took a walk on one of the trails it was really nice 'cause it had rained that morning and so it looked really cool seeing little rain drops on the leafs and then him asking me, "what do you do if you see a bear or a cougar," just all this stuff. I will always remember that. I will remember the times we had with him the times he played for us on his guitar the times we would talk and tell jokes. I'm really going to miss him, but now we know he is in a better place and he don't hurt no more and he watches over us all the time. He was my big brother someone I looked up to a lot 'cause he was the first one to graduate from high school and first to go to college and finish his first year of it. Also because he touched many lives and he is going to be missed not just by his family but all the people's lives he touched and friends. And even though he is gone, he will always be in our hearts are minds and our memories for always and forever. Love always, your little sister Candice.
My "Big Bro" Nick was one of a kind. A great person who set good examples and showed leadership. He was a loving brother, and taught me a lot. From being a "Big Bro" to teaching me the guitar. He was a great athlete and a very smart student. He will be missed very much and well respected. You are in our hearts and minds. We love you Nick. Your lil "Big" Bro, Nate.
Nick, my big brother. He is, simply put, one of a kind. He could walk in the room and brighten up everybody's day, everybody's mood and attitude would change. He was just a goofy kid that liked to make people smile and laugh, and that is what he did throughout his life. He taught me a lot and was a great role model for me and he helped me get through a lot of life's obstacles that might not have been as easy without my brother there with me. I told my brother every chance I got that I loved him so I know he knows that I love him with all my heart and I always will. He is the best older brother you could ever have and I want him to know that. I know he will be with me every step of the way through life and I know he will never miss another one of my games and he will be there for me whenever I need him, I love you, Nick. Your little brother, Ty.
My first nephew, my life revolved around you, as you grew so did my love for you. You will be deeply loved & missed. My life was blessed to have you a part of it. Love, Uncle Roger.
Nick (Lil Nicky)
You lit up our lives for 19 years with your beautiful smile and off the wall personality. The memories of Disneyland, Magic Mountain, Silverwood, and the Metallica concert in L.A. I can never forget my "Little painter" who gave me the joy of being with every day. You are our third son and will be loved forever. Goodbye for now.
Love Uncle Rod, Tia Becky, Ramon, Anthony, Samantha, Rachael, Alexis and Casey.
Nick was preceded in death by his great-grandfather Gregorio Valdez I, great-grandmother Martha Valdez, aunt Irma Gonzalez Valdez, uncle G.J. Garcia, great-grandfather Felix Gonzalez and great-grandmother Margarita Gonzalez.
Nick is survived by his parents Raymond Garcia and Flor Burgess, step-parents Sandy (Teeter) Garcia and John Burgess; brothers Nathan, Tyson and Ramon and his sister Candice; stepbrother Riley Burgess and stepsisters Shawnty and Carly; paternal great-grandparents Luis and Eustacia Garcia; grandparents Ramon and Rachel (Gonzalez) Garcia; maternal great-grandmother Lorenza Cano; maternal grandparents Gregorio Jr. and Estela (Cano) Valdez; aunts and uncles Rod and Becky (Garcia) Bambino, Roger Garcia, Ryan and Raina (Garcia) Rodriguez, Richard and Kim Garcia, Sadik and Laura (Valdez) Reka, Darcy and Lillian (Valdez) Thebeau, Martin and Alva (Valdez) Urbina, Leandro and Maria Valdez, Vic and Erika (Valdez) Shelley, Greg Valdez III, Gabriel and Corren Valdez and Abel and Melissa (Valdez) Gonzalez; and numerous great-aunts/uncles and cousins.
Funeral services will be held at Chief Moses Middle School, Friday June 24, 2005 at 6 p.m. There will be a potluck dinner to follow with an opportunity for those who knew Nickolas to share wonderful memories and stories. Arrangements are in care of Kayser's Chapel & Crematory, Moses Lake.