CLEARLAKE, Calif. – G. Daniel Garcia died at the home of his son and daughter-in-law in Clearlake on Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2016. He was 77 years old.
He was born on Jan. 28, 1939, in Sharon Springs, Kansas, to Donelia Valerio.
He grew up in Albuquerque, New Mexico, with his mom and grandmother, Josefa Trujillo.
In 1956, after high school, he enlisted in the US Army and then enlisted in the US Marine Corps, serving with the Marines during the Vietnam war. He was honorably discharged at the rank of private.
He later married the only daughter of a Beverly Hills Police lieutenant, with the couple divorcing in 1973.
He came to Lake County in 1976. He was a counselor for 10-plus years and was one of the chair holders for Alcoholics Anonymous.
He loved panning for gold, fishing, the casino and spending time with his grandson, Chumani.
He was a member of the Antelope Indian Circle in Susanville, Navajo Nation and the Native American Spiritual Circle, was a Red Power Warriors Spiritual elder.
He was preceded in death by his grandmother, Josefa Trujillo; grandfather, Damion Valerio; and mother, Donelia Valerio.
His survivors are his son, Duane “Spider” Garcia; daughter-in-law Marie; grandson, Chumani Iktomi Garcia, all of Clearlake. He also leaves adopted son, Louis, and adopted daughter-in-law Amber and their two children from Reno, Nev.; seven more grandchildren, Courtney and Crystal in Southern California, Dakota and Zachary in Virgina, beautiful Bella in Las Vegas, Nev., and Marcus and Aiden in Clearlake.
He will be missed and never forgotten.
A memorial will be held. To find out when it will take place, contact his son Spider or daughter-in-law on Facebook or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Contributions are being accepted, contact the family at the same email.
His family thanked Hospice Services of Lake County, whose nurses and in-home care aides made it easier to give their father his wish to die at home with the ones he loved and who loved him. Thanks also are offered to the neighbors who offered help in the night, and support and prayers.