Ynez Garcia

Long time Cerritos, Calif., middle school teacher Ynez Garcia passed away on February 7, 2018 in Wilmington, NC. Born in Ahualulco, Jalisco, Mexico on February 2, 1945, he moved with his family to California in 1947. He grew up in Pico Rivera, graduating from El Rancho High School in 1962.

Ynez graduated with his bachelor's degree from Whittier College in 1972. In that 10-year gap he attended San Jose State and Cerritos College, met and married the love of his life Ellie, was drafted and served three years in the Army during the Vietnam War.

Ynez loved teaching middle school. During his 33 years in ABCUSD he developed many lifelong friendships with the other staff members at Tetzlaff Middle School. He also loved to golf. After retirement in 2004 he and Ellie moved to Fallbrook where they spent nine happy years making new friends and playing golf.

In 2013, they made the decision to move east to be closer to their children and grandchildren. They chose the community of Brunswick Forest in Leland, NC, just across the Cape Fear River from Wilmington. From the very beginning he became and continued to be actively involved in the men's golf association at Cape Fear National Golf Course.

Sadly, on February 7 he lost his battle with prostate cancer and lymphedema. He is survived by Ellie, his wife of almost 52 years; daughter Patricia Barnhard (Dan), son Paul (Nicole), and grandchildren Joshua, Shayna, Alyssa, & Sophie Barnhard; Kadin, Elias, & Gavin Garcia. He is also survived by his brothers Philip, Gilbert and David, and sisters-in-law Sadie, Debbie, & Shirlee.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Lower Cape Fear Hospice at http://www.LCFHospice.org/foundation.