Richard David Garcia was born on August 10th, 1963, in Jamaica Queens New York to Beatrice Johnson Garcia, and Virgilio Garcia. His parents separated in 1973 yet remained close throughout the duration of his life. Richard later met and married Marilyn E. Patton and relocated to Binghamton NY. God blessed Richard with two beautiful intelligent daughters but overall he was a father, a big brother, an uncle, a cousin, and a friend to countless people in which he encountered. Richard was a pillar of strength to anyone that knew him. His beautiful smile, his sense of humor, and the unselfish compassion he had for others, will continue to resonate in the hearts and minds of those who know him best. He was a soldier in God’s army and a protector of many.
Richard was educated in the NYC School System. He attended PS116 elementary, IS8 Junior High and obtained his High School Diploma at August Martin High School in Jamaica Queens NY. He obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management in 1986 and was devoted to his profession as a barber for many years during his adult life. At the age of 42, He owed his own barbershop in Jamaica NY (Bricktown). Richard worked diligently to cut hair for his peers and family members before becoming disabled in 2015.
Richard enjoyed traveling, going to casino’s, family gathering, BBQ’s and most of all he enjoyed singing and dancing to his favorite R&B songs with family and friends. He was truly a devote fan of “Jahiem” and oldies from the 80’s and 90’s. Anyone that knew him knew, he possessed the biggest tape collection in the family. He would record music for you but you were not getting his originals. Richard was one of a kind. He lived to see that the family remained connected and the ones that knew him best will truly miss him.
Richard was survived by his mother: Beatrice Garcia, Father: Virgilio Garcia. Sisters: Linda & Sabrina Garcia, Iesha and Josey, Brothers: Larry & Virgil Garcia, David Virgilio, Ralph and Bonita Terry, his ex-wife Marilyn Garcia, his daughters: Mercedes & Mahogany Garcia, his grandson: True, Several Step children, Nephews: Carl Garcia, Jalil Miles, Deshaun & Connel Terry. His Nieces: Serita Marrow, Camille Garcia, Latondra Garcia, Cousins: Donna, Diane, Eddie, Lisa, Dorothy, and Delores Jordan. Uncle: Richard and a host of other cousins, and relatives not mentioned.
Scripture readings:
Psalms 121
I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth. He will not suffer thy foot to be moved, he that keepeth thee will not slumber. Behold he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord is thy keeper, the Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand. The sun shall not smite thee by day nor the moon by night. The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul. The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even forever more.
1 Thess 4:13-18: But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. 14: For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. 15: For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 16: For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first. 17: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 18: Wherefore comfort one another with these words…….
Psalms 119:105
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. I have sworn, and will perform it, that I will keep thy righteous judgements. I am afflicted very much: quicken me, O Lord, according unto thy word.
Philippians 1:21:
For to live is Christ, but to die is gain.
Joshua: 24: 15
And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve: Whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.
Poems
Behind His Eyes
Always Joking, laughing, and protecting people,
and lifting other’s Spirits
But there was a sadness behind his eyes
That only a sibling could notice
Behind that devilish grin
Behind all of the strength he portrayed
Were deep dark feelings of weariness
for never fulfilling His vision
He smiled and played life’s melony
And danced to the beat of his own drum
He was tired but kept on dancing
In hopes that he’d overcome.
Soon the trials of life overcame him
And he begin to loss his way
Yet the Father in heaven sustained him
By calling him home to rest…..