Jesse Garcia went home on July 1, 2024, and reunited with God and loved ones. He was born 67 years ago on January 20, 1957, in Edinburg, Texas to Ignacio and Maria Garcia. Jesse was a "middle child" of 3 brothers and 5 sisters.

Growing up in San Antonio and Dallas, Jesse became a city boy but loved to be in the country. As a teenager, he worked on a shrimp boat in the Gulf of Mexico, and often spoke of how much fun he had as a "shrimper". He said he didn't make much money but since the boss let them eat as much shrimp as they wanted, he considered it a great deal.

After graduation, Jesse traveled to various parts of the country installing radar equipment on naval vessels. He said he enjoyed the experience, but it taught him he was a homebody. He settled in Dallas and began his lifelong passion for carpentry. Jesse started at the bottom and learned every facet of building up to and including reading and creating the blueprints to construct luxury homes. He quickly built a reputation as a master carpenter and was well respected for his commitment to excellence in every build, big or small.

In 1984, Jesse was blessed with a son, Jesse Jr. He was so proud to be a dad, his favorite times with Jr. were when he took him to the job site and gave him his own hammer so they could "work" together.

In 1988, Jesse met his wife, Cindy. Asked how they met, he would laugh and say, "Well, I came to her house with a friend and just never left!"  Jesse and Cindy were best friends throughout their marriage, and inseparable for 36 years. They made one another laugh and kept every promise they ever made to each other. Cindy said she got everything she asked God for, a kind, gentle caring man who loved her for who she was and didn't mind at all the flaws and "crazy" she brought to the table. He was the only person she needed in dark times, and he was always okay as long as she was with him. During his major life-threatening health issues, she never left his side, living in his hospital room, sometimes traveling 100 miles round trip every day for months. They relied on each other for strength and courage in the face of truly monumental health challenges for Jesse.

Jesse became a dad a second time to Cindy's young children, Jason and Lacey. The blended family thrived together, loving through the ups and downs of growing up.  The mantra in the Garcia house was "There are no steps in our house, and we don't do anything by halves." Over the years Jason and Lacey came to love Jesse as their dad, Jesse stood with Jason at his wedding to Delilah and walked Lacey down the aisle.  He was grateful to be able to attend Jr.'s wedding to Colleen. Jesse called it winning the trifecta.  He witnessed every important milestone in his children's lives and was busting his buttons with pride when his two boys enlisted in the Army, and his daughter went into the healthcare industry first as a CNA and then a CCMA.

When Jason married, he gifted Jesse with a cassette tape with the song "The Dad You Didn't Have To Be". He thanked Jesse for being his dad and for all the years of love, wisdom, and discipline. That made Jesse cry and later told his wife how grateful he was for his family.

One of the true lights in Jesse's life was his grandchildren. He couldn't get enough of Papa's time with them and cherished them all, even separated by distance. He lived with Mackenzie most of her life, and they grew incredibly close and built many years of memories and laughter together. He was blessed to spend a year with Jesse Michael and considered that to be a true gift from God.

He kept up with Derrick, Kyle, and Katelynn throughout their lives through pictures and Facebook, and always wished they lived closer. He was so happy to see them this past January and was proud of their accomplishments. Visits from Scott every Saturday night brightened his weekends, and time spent with Kami and Tabbi was never long enough.  He bragged he had 8 grandchildren and not a bad apple in the bunch.

In 1999, Jesse and Cindy moved to Helena to be close to her parents. Jesse settled in immediately and always said he wished they had moved here sooner. He loved Helena and the surrounding area, his favorite fishing spots, and hunting with his brother-in-law Steven (there are some stories there!).

Jesse began working through the carpenter's union and went on to take the position of Transportation Director for Family Promise, and lead carpenter for Habitat for Humanity. He also maintained a steady side business of building decks, and small remodels in the area.

Jesse suffered several strokes and heart attacks starting in 1994, but through sheer will and immense hard work, always managed to fight his way back to the point of being able to maintain employment and the only outward sign was a limp on the right side.

Eventually, the effects of the strokes came to a head, and in 2019 the Peripheral Artery Disease caused him to have an above-the-knee amputation.  Jesse retired then and spent his days grooming the lawn because he hated an unkempt yard!  He also enjoyed growing roses (they never would grow but he always kept trying). He started a new hobby of building clocks by hand and was absorbed in the many ways he could personalize them.

Jesse was an unassuming man, well-respected in his community, and beloved by his family. Nothing will be the same with him gone, his dry wit and ability to make people laugh will be sorely missed. Everyone who knew him could tell a Jesse story or two and probably with a smile! He is forever remembered as a kind, generous to a fault person, whose quiet strength was always there.

Jesse was preceded in death by his parents Ignacio and Maria, his mother-in-law Mary, his father-in-law Myron, and his beloved brother Robert. He was especially close to Myron, and they are probably playing Spades and cheating right now.

Jesse is survived by his wife of 36 years, Cindy. Their children Jason, his wife Delilah, their children Derrick, Kyle and Katelynn. Lacey, her partner Shawn, and their blended family Mackenzie, Scott, Kami, and Tabitha. Jesse Jr., his wife Colleen, and their son Jesse Michael. Jesse was very close to his sister Janie (Juanita) and his niece Nosheska. He talked with them almost every day and their conversations gave his days a boost and he always loved getting and making calls with them.

He is also survived by his remaining siblings in Texas, Gloria, Rebecca, Eugene, Juanita, Rosa, Ignacio Jr. (Tom), and Rachel. Numerous nieces, nephews, and brother and sisters-in-law.   Felicia Zetto also held a special place in Jesse's heart.

We love you Jesse, rest easy. Te amo Papi.

Simple Cremation Montana has assisted the family.