Mr. Raul Garcia, 93, Coolidge, Arizona. Mr. Garcia went to be with the Lord on July 12, 2023. Mr. Garcia passed peacefully in his sleep. He was born June 5th, 1930 in McNary, Arizona.
Raul graduated from Flagstaff High School, Class of 1949. During his time at Flagstaff High School he excelled in four major varsity sports: football, basketball, baseball, and track & field. Raul received several athletic honors including "All Northern" First team in football. Honorable Mention All Arizona, "All-State" in football, Flagstaff High School's "Most Valuable" football player awards. Flagstaff High School Hall of Fame. Raul attended NAU from 1949-1953 and graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education. He also played one year of football and two years of baseball for NAU. He was drafted in the Army in 1953 and served two years attaining rank of Corporal and was honorably discharged in 1955. While in the Army he also coached the company basketball team and played baseball.
Raul returned to Flagstaff, Arizona and NAU from 1955-1957 and he worked on his Master's Degree and Administrative Certification classes. While at NAU he was Assistant Varsity Men's Basketball Coach and Assistant Athletic Trainer for varsity football.
The most important thing that happened in 1955 at NAU was that he met his wife, Celia Mae when they both attended the same church and classes in anatomy, physiology and biology. After they married they had five children: Karlos, Leo, Jon, Marvin, and Linda. They all attended Coolidge schools and graduated from Coolidge High School.
Raul served the Coolidge School District for thirty-two years and spent the first fifteen years at Kenilworth School as a seventh grade teacher, boys Physical Education Teacher, and coach for all boys sports teams . In 1972 Raul went to Coolidge High school where he was a Principal for two years, Assistant Principal/Athletic Director for seven years, and Guidance Counselor for eight years. He coached several athletic teams and retired from CHS in 1989.
The Arizona Interscholastic Association presented Raul with an Honorary LifeTime Pass it is given for recognition of thirty years of exemplary service for the youth of Arizona. Coolidge High school also awarded him a Lifetime Pass. Coolidge Honored Raul with the Grand Marshall and Coolidge High School Hall of Fame in 2012.
In addition to his parents he is preceded in death by his wife Celia Mae Garcia, his siblings Gilbert Garcia, Tillie Picazo, Adrian (Chundy) Garcia, and Virginia Del Carmen: and granddaughter Jannese Davidson.
In 2014 Raul's wife Celia died. Raul was blessed in 2016 to meet his current wife Linda Kay Harper Garcia. They fell in love quickly and were married February 18, 2017.
Surviving in addition to his wife Linda Kay Harper Garcia, are his son Karlos Kasabian, son Leo Garcia and wife Meg, son Jon Garcia and wife Kim, son Marvin Garcia and wife Dana, daughter Linda Spaulding and husband Michael. Two Step-Children Bruce Harper and Brenda Harper. Twelve grandchildren: Amber Garcia, Robert Garcia, Jannese Davidson, Janae Mannarelli, Sedona Schiek, Estevan Garcia, Alexa Garcia, Kara Spaulding, Matthew Spaulding, Derek Spaulding, Isaiah Schuelke, and Wyatt Schuelke. And many cousins and nieces and nephews.
Mr. Garcia's family has asked for those who wish to remember Raul in a special way and in place of flowers for a donation to be made to a Christian Organization. Bibles for the World or Compassion International.
A Celebration of Life will be held Friday July 21st at 5:30pm at Coolidge Performing Arts Center 684 W. Northern Ave. Coolidge, Arizona 85128 A Military Honor will take place Saturday July 22nd at 8am at Coolidge Cemetery. Arrangements are being made by Cole and Maud in Coolidge Arizona. The family would love for you to join us in Mr. Raul Garcia's celebration of life. Mr. Garcia loved the people of Coolidge very much. He felt he was a friend to everyone in the City of Coolidge. His nickname had become Mr. Coolidge.