Lynda Garcia was a loving daughter, mother, wife, grandmother, great-grandmother, and fine friend to many.
Lynda left this life on March 1, 2020 at St. Agnes Hospital in Fresno, CA. Since 2015, Lynda was plagued by complications from disc surgery and endured several hospitalizations. She and Harry were very grateful for the tender care provided by Irene Plowman, Heidi Brunette, and Rosi Constancio, each of whom became dear friends.
Lynda was born on March 12, 1950 in Porterville, CA and grew up in Armona and lived with her parents, Reba and Gail Hamilton, brother Gail Jr., and sister Jeanne. She attended elementary school in Armona and was a busy child. Her mother, Reba, said “she started walking at 7 months and never stopped”. She brought home numerous animals for family pets and she often took care of her younger siblings. She worked in the packing sheds as a teenager during the summers. She loved school and as she got older, she also enjoyed going to games, parties, and concerts.
After graduating from Hanford High School in 1969, Lynda served in the California Army National Guard and retired in June of 2005 after 30 years of military service. She held positions of increasing responsibility in administration, aviation maintenance, logistics, recruiting and the Selective Service System, retiring as a Master Sergeant. Her service took her to Germany, Belgium and Panama. She loved her work in aircraft maintenance at the National Guard AVCRAD facility in Fresno, where Harry worked. Lynda was the consummate optimist who thrived on impossibilities. Give her any task in the military and she'd get it done...just don't ask how or where she found needed equipment.
After the Guard, Lynda spent many years providing administrative and training support at the National Interagency Civil-Military Institute (NICI) in San Luis Obispo, helping develop anti-terrorism curriculum. She was awarded three Army Commendation Medals and an Air Force Commendation Medal for her invaluable contributions over her career.
Lynda loved to travel—from Cambria to New Orleans, Portland to Odessa, and Vienna to Barcelona she loved the experiences and she never packed lightly! Lynda had a great love of family, reading anything and everything by Steven King. Her green thumb resulted in beautiful spaces to relax and entertain.
Lynda was a passionate veteran of the US Army and was a 30-year member of the American Legion. One of her proudest accomplishments was helping to get flags placed at the Lemoore’s Veterans Memorial Park.
Lynda was preceded in death by her parents, Reba and Gail Hamilton, and brother Gail Jr. Lynda is survived by Jeanne Carvalho, her only surviving sibling, and brother-in-law, Steve Carvaho.
Lynda is survived by six children, Steven Yanes; Terry Stuart, Kathy Stuart; Alan Garcia, Steven Garcia, and Lisa Wilson, and their spouses, Raquel Yanes, Cindy Stuart, Lyn Garcia, and Kevin Wilson. She was a wonderful mother to all, taking an interest in their activities and families. She was also a very proud grandmother to ten grandchildren each of whom loved her calls, visits, and the many, many gifts she showered upon them: Amanda Yanes, Jordan Yanes, Joshua and Hannah Wilson, Hope, Annie, Catherine, and Laura Garcia, Lori and Jeffrey Stuart. The addition to her life of five great-grandchildren brought her immense joy: Paige and Olivia Stafford, Nickolas, Raymond, and Joseph Castro. Lynda also leaves numerous dear nieces and nephews.
Lynda is also survived by Harry Garcia, her husband and best friend of 40 years. As they both often told others—and each other—he was the love of her life, and she was his. They amused each other, cajoled each other, took care of each other, and lived an adventurous life together. Their love brought them endless joy and serves as an inspiration to others.
Services will be held at 11:00 AM on March 14th at First Presbyterian Church in Lemoore. A reception will be held following military honors at Veterans Memorial Park after the service.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that remembrances be made in Lynda’s name to Disabled American Veterans Association, Homer Blevins Chapter 1, P.O. Box 6062, Fresno, CA 93703.
Lynda had an infectious smile. Her impish grin was always a sign that shenanigans would follow. We will all sorely miss the light her smile brought to all.