Francis Garcia

Francis Garcia passed away peacefully on February 6, 2022 from complications due to the Coronavirus. His immediate family was at his side.

Francis Garcia was born August 2, 1941 in La Jara, New Mexico. He graduated from Cuba New Mexico High School. Francis relocated to Farmington, N.M. shortly after he graduated from high school.

One of Francis’ first substantial jobs was that of a service station mechanic and partner at the Chevron service station at the “Y” in Farmington. He met the love of his life of 60 years, Claudine. They have two children, Francis “Skip” Garcia and Theodore “Teddy” Garcia. They lived in Farmington until moving to Durango in 1968.

Francis and Claudine sought the opportunity to purchase a service station on Main Avenue in Durango, but instead ended up purchasing a small tavern, Joe’s Place, on October 17, 1968. They sold almost everything they had including Francis' beloved horse to have enough money to put in the cash register. Francis also drove a truck for N.W. trucking by day to make ends meet.

Francis and Claudine changed the name of the tavern to Francisco’s Lounge a short time later and then to Francisco’s Restaurante Y Cantina.They expanded and remodeled several times over the next several years acquiring three adjacent buildings along the way.

Francis Garcia was a modern-day entrepreneur, who started his first business at the young age of 27. He went on to start one of the first taxicab companies later to be known as Durango Transportation. He also started his own roofing and construction company which was successful for many years.

Francis also had a lifelong passion for the “Ranching Lifestyle” and purchased a sprawling working cattle ranch in 1981 near Bayfield, CO which Claudine named “Rancho Mira Sol” (Ranch of the Sun Flowers). They built their first home on this ranch and enjoyed the ranching lifestyle. One of his favorite pastimes was hunting on his ranch with his two sons, Skip and Ted.

Francis and Claudine enjoyed traveling later in life and made trips to Alaska, London, Spain and his most memorable trips to Italy where they had a private audience with Pope John Paul II. He was a devout Catholic deep in faith and established an educational scholarship fund to help families in need.

Francis along with his wife, and son’s Skip and Ted continued to operate Francisco’s restaurant until he retired and sold the business and building in the spring of 2020.

Francis and Claudine have owned a cabin at Electra Lake, and by far his most memorable times were enjoying the tranquility of the lake and fishing with his wife, kids and grandchildren.

Francis touched and helped many lives and employed many people and families over the years in Durango. He will be greatly missed. He was an icon of Durango business and an inspiration for many seeking advise on how to succeed in life.

Francis will always be known by all for his generosity, compassion, hard work and perseverance.

He is survived by his wife Claudine, son Skip Garcia (Terri), sister Florence Martinez (Celso) of La Jara N.M.; Grandchildren Roger Garcia (Sandra), Danielle Garcia, Anthony Garcia, Claudia Garcia, Julia Garcia and Great Grandchildren, Riley Tritz (Garcia) Adelina Garcia.

He was preceded in death by his son Ted Garcia; his parents Facunda and Adelina Garcia (Cuba N.M.)
Brothers: Lee Garcia (Farmington N.M.) Andy Garcia (Albuquerque N.M.) and Floyd Garcia (Cuba N.M.).

Francis was the rock of our family; his biggest joy was his wife. Attending his kids and grandchildren’s school and sporting events. He was an avid Denver Broncos fan and loved attending games with his wife and family.

Our sadness can not be measured and our only peace is knowing that he lived a full life, had a loving marriage, and the love of his family and friends.

A celebration of mass will be conducted at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Durango on Saturday, February 12, 2022 with the Rosary at 11:00 am followed by funeral mass at 11:30 a.m. Private burial at Greenmount cemetery and reception at Sacred Heart for immediate family and close friends.

The family requests, out of respect for Francis, to adhere to mask wearing while indoors.