Charles R. Garcia

Charles Richard Garcia (Rich to most Trinidadians) age 75 passed away peacefully in his home in Westminster, Colorado on Wednesday, July 23, 2025. Charles was a loving son, husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend.

Charles was born in Alameda, California on August 29, 1949 to Gustavo (Gus) and Cleotilda (Tillie) (Gallegos) Garcia. He was raised in Trinidad, Colorado and graduated from Trinidad High School in 1969.

Soon after graduation, Charles was drafted but chose to enlist in the US Navy and served from September, 1969 to September, 1973. Charles was stationed in the Philippines for 18 months, Adak, Alaska for 1 year, and spent his last 18 months of service on the USS Ranger Aircraft Carrier in the Gulf of Tonkin in Vietnam. He earned the National Defense Service Medal and the Vietnam Service Medal. Charles was very proud of his service to his country. He was very dedicated to the Mile Hi Veterans and served on the Board of Trustees for 4- and one-half years. He belonged to the American Legion post 151 for two years and currently belonged to the VFW Post 5061.

Upon his separation from the Navy, Charles worked at the Santa Fe Railroad and after a merger, the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad for 36 years. He began his career as a brakeman, then became a conductor and retired in 2009.

Charles was an avid hunter and fisherman, a passion which was passed to him by his father and which he passed to his sons, Charles Jr. and Jerome. He bagged many elk, deer and even a bear. When fishing in a stream, he always caught his limit.

Charles is preceded in death by his mother Tillie and his father Gus, his sisters; Connie Garcia, and Jane Aguilar, and his brothers; Ernie, Gus (JR) and Xavier, his stepson Jeremy Lucero, his granddaughter Alexis, nephews Martin and David Garcia, and Cory Lovato, and his grandnephews, Anthony and Victor Aguilar.

Charles is survived by his wife Wanda Mauro-Garcia, his sons Charles Garcia and Jerome Lamorie, his daughter Claudine Molter (Glen), his stepson Jason Lucero, his grandchildren Daija, Charles III, Gabriel, Giada, Jonathon, Zander, Jaden, Zoey, Bailey, Cora, Mia, and Dahlia, his siblings Barbara, Linda, and Mark Garcia, three great grandchildren, several nieces and nephews, and many friends.

Charles will be missed by many!

-SERVICES -

Thursday, August 7, 2025.

Romero Funeral Home Chapel  

4750 Tejon St. 

Denver, CO 80211

Doors open at 10:00am 

Rosary at 10:30am

Funeral Service at 11:00am 

Burial at Fort Logan Cemetery 1:00pm