OBITUARY

On February 18, 2025, our beloved father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and husband breathed his last breath. Tomas (Thomas, Tom) Belisario Garcia, our cherished cowboy, was born in Coyote, New Mexico in 1936 to Jose Thomas Garcia and Suzana Lobato. He made his first trip to La Sal in 1954, after his junior year in high school to begin working in La Sal. He spent the summer working on the ranch haying and feeding cattle. Thus, began his long career working for Redd Ranches. He returned to New Mexico to finish high school returning to Utah shortly after graduating. In November 1957, he married a cute little senorita, Margarita (Margaret) Jaramillo, who had caught his eye earlier in the year. He even had to warn off a couple of other local guys about Margaret, informing them that she was his girl. After getting married they lived in La Sal for a short period before moving to Farmington, New Mexico, where all their children were born. They returned to La Sal after their children were born and have been residing here since. During these years, Tom worked a variety of jobs to provide for his young family.

Dad’s legacy, however, was built working with cattle. He lived and breathed cows. Sometimes described as “one of the last true cowboys.” He would often get up before sunrise, saddle up a horse, pack a rifle and set off to work the cows only to return home after sundown. His home was where the cows were located. He especially loved staying at Geyser Camp which became a second home to him. Come rain or sunshine, blistering heat or icy, freezing cold, the cows were to be looked after. He loved his job. He earned the respect and admiration of everyone he worked with and for from kids to managers, to bosses. Tom was an icon in the local community. It seemed like everyone knew him. To many, he was known as a “kid whisperer” as kids young and old everywhere flocked to him. His knowledge of the cows, the mountains, the terrain, where to find the “big game”, was sought after. He mentored many young wannabe cowboys who looked to him as a mentor, friend, second father and all around great person. His son Steve and grandsons TC and Lelo worked many summers learning the trade from him and more importantly many life lessons. Dad’s work took its toll on him. He finally had to hang up his spurs in 2015. We would be remiss if we didn’t acknowledge the special relationship that dad developed with the Redd family and their children. Thank you for caring about him over the many years.

Though he lived practically all his life in La Sal, he could not forget his New Mexico roots. Every time he crossed the New Mexico state line to visit family, he would take a deep, deep breath and proudly exclaim, “smell that New Mexico fresh air”. He loved his New Mexico family and travelled often to visit and participate in their lives. He is the youngest of fourteen children -which includes nine half brothers and sisters by his father and one half-sister, by his mother; and four full siblings. He is preceded in death by all his half siblings and their spouses; one full sister (Atocha Gonzales); five sibling in-laws (Agueda Garcia, George Gonzales, Apolinario Trujillo, Mary Montano, and Victor Lovato). He is survived by his wife, a sister (Adelires Trujillo); a brother (Pete Garcia); six sibling in-laws (Mike and Rose Lovato, Casey Jaramillo, Terry and Alex Leech and Erla Lovato); numerous nephews and nieces. Family was very important to him. They were always in his heart.

Tom and Margaret’s posterity includes his four children and their families. Steven and Paula, Patrick, Leanard, and Theresa and Mike Rutter; five grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren, TC (Thomas Christopher) and Johnna Garcia and their children Marilyn, Stevey, Samy and AJ (Amos Jiggs), Jennifer and Chess Johnson and their child Benito, Lelo (Cirilo) and his children Nash and Kyron, Tara and Corbin Johnson, and Bryanna and Cody Younglove and their children Hayven, Emery and Maverick; two bonus step-grandchildren Tim and Shelby Rutter and her boyfriend Victor Najera.

Tomas’ family would like to acknowledge and thank the many doctors, nurses and other staff at Moab Regional Hospital and Grand County Hospice that treated and cared for him during his illness and failing health. He was treated with dignity, compassion and professionalism.

A Holy Rosary will be prayed Thursday, February 27, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. at St. Pius X Catholic Church in Moab, UT. (122 W. 400 N.) A Remembering Tomas dinner will follow the rosary at approximately 6:30 p.m. It will be held at Grand Center in Moab. (230 N 500 W.) The Most Holy Catholic funeral mass will be celebrated on Friday, February 28, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at St Pius X Catholic Church. The burial will take place at La Sal Cemetery in La Sal at approximately 1:30 p.m. The cemetery is located off Highway 46 on La Sal Road approximately 8 miles East of La Sal Junction.

Family and friends are invited to share tributes online at www.SpanishValleyMortuary.com

TRIBUTES