Leo Lawrence Garcia passed away on December 14, 2015, at 88, years old. Proud descendant of Azores Island immigrants Frank and Rose Garcia. Veteran of WW II – Pacific theater while in the Merchant Marines, and then as Marine assigned to the Seabees unit in Korea where he survived the Chosin Reservoir Battle. Among his medals and honors was a Purple Heart. Leo or Lee as some called him had many interests through his life but reading history, politics and all things related to cooking were a constant. He was an excellent chef! In later years he also enjoyed painting landscapes and barns.
   Professionally Leo grew up knowing the dairy and ranching business with his family, but what he came to enjoy and excel at was sales. He was a bread man for Kilpatrick’s, Sales for Stockton, Hay and Grain and other endeavors through the years, but the one of longest duration and that made the biggest impact was his years with Im-Pruv-All, where he traveled helping farmers across the US to improve the quality of their feed for their livestock, primarily dairy cows.
   He is survived by his daughter, Kathleen Garcia of French Camp, CA. Leo’s siblings and their spouses in birth order: Donald Garcia/deceased (Olga) , Robert Garcia (Joan), Lois Rehn (Roger), Morris Garcia (Sharon), Patricia Wells (J).
   He enjoyed the last 18 years of his life with Beverly Camozzi and lived with her in Foster City, CA until his passing. Beverly and Leo were in the same class at Manteca High, but they never dated until a reunion almost two decades ago. Beverly’s grandsons Jack Feeley, Cameron and Christian Camazzi knew Leo as a grandfather and called him Papa Lee.
   Leo Garcia’s ashes will be placed at San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery, in Santa Nella Village, with full military honors. January 8, 2016.  The burial and memorial is for family and close friends.
   Memorial donations may be made to the charity of one’s choice or to the Manteca Historical Society.

Foster City
Manteca (Calif.) Bulletin
Saturday, January 9, 2016