Travis Garcia was born Oct. 31, 1982, at St. Helena Hospital in Deer Park, California, and was raised in Middletown, California.

He died on June 10, 2022, from a tragic accident in Calaveras County, at the age of 39.

Travis attended grades K-12 in Middletown schools and graduated in June 2000. Travis played football, basketball, baseball and golf. He loved horses and was active in gymkhana, high school rodeo, team roping, 4-H and FFA.

He went on to college at Santa Rosa Junior College, then to DeVry University where he graduated cum laude, received four prestigious senior project awards and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in business management in 2004.

Travis worked for Marriott Western Mountain Pacific Sales Office in San Francisco until 2011. During that time, he advanced to senior sales office specialist/event manager/ sales manager one. He enjoyed managing large events for sports teams and major company conferences amongst many other clients.

When he left Marriott, he went into the hospitality industry. Travis loved people and got along with everyone. His social, energetic and enthusiastic personality allowed him to succeed and make many friends along the way.

In 2003 his son Makai was born. Travis was a proud Dad and loved spending time with his son. He encouraged his education and course of study in college pursuing the movie industry at Sac State. He loved when Makai passed him up in height and laughed when he had to look up to him. He was so proud of the young man Makai is becoming.

Travis also entered the construction field. He loved learning that trade, which he had worked a bit in his earlier years. This led him to his last job working in his hometown, for Calpine Corp. Travis described this as his “dream job,” where his father had worked all during Travis’s upbringing. He loved Middletown, had many lifelong friends here and was proud and excited to be back.

Last summer Travis met Becky, fell in love and they were married in August 2021. He was proud and happy to have Becky in his life. He loved her very much and looked forward to their life together. Becky gave him something he longed for, a partner to love and enjoy life with. Living in Middletown kept them apart more than he wanted so he had recently relocated to Valley Springs to be with his wife.

Travis was a generous, kind and energetic soul with a bright smile who touched many lives. He lived life to the fullest and experienced more than most in his short life. He had fearless confidence. He loved movies; especially comedy, sci-fi, and westerns. He was always repeating his favorite quotes.

He is preceded in death by his father, Donald Garcia Jr.; grandparents; uncle, Michael Garcia; and cousin, Trevor Gonzalez.

He is survived by his son, Makai Garcia; wife, Becky Garcia; stepson, Ashton Kelly; mother and stepfather, Glenda and Robin Loudermilk; his brother, Josh Garcia; and many extremely loved aunts, uncles and cousins.

A celebration of life event will be held at 1 p.m. July 23 at the Lions Club, Central Park, Middletown.