Garcia, Joe Joe Ayala Garcia, "Papa Joe", died peacefully in his sleep on the beautiful, Spring morning of April 3, 2017. He was a man full of vim and vigor, and he believed in making the most of life right up to his passing. Joe was born on May 2, 1925 to Jesus and Francisco Garcia in Tempe AZ. He was the 5th of thirteen children and was raised by his Grandmother, Loretto Lopez Garcia whom he loved deeply. Joe began picking cotton as a baby snuggled close to his Grandma, putting cotton blooms in her bag. As he grew, Grandma Loretto would pin a sugar bag to his t-shirt and he would pick cotton and bring her his full bag. As a youth, he was a field laborer picking cotton, lettuce and other harvests. He also worked on the farms and in the grain mills doing different jobs in the Chandler/Phoenix area. He was truly a "Joe of all trades" and mastered many. Joe was a hard-working man all his life; his work ethic was amazing and continues to be so to those who knew him. While he had the most colorful language and could cuss any sailor into embarrassment, he always gave his all even when he didn't like what he was doing. He was committed to doing things right the first time. What he did not understand was simply a challenge for him to figure to out - there were no obstacles, only opportunities to make things better. He became a water well driller in his mid-twenties and worked for Roscoe Moss for 40 years. He travelled to many places in the US and abroad drilling wells. Joe seemed to have a gift for water well drilling - he just knew where to drill to get water. He created and made his own tools that aided in his work and made things more efficient. For only having a third-grade education, he was ingenious and his lack of education did not stem his creativity or drive. He was self-taught on the harmonica and accordion and enjoyed playing them throughout his life. His limited education made him a firm and fervent believer in education for his children. He worked tirelessly to make sure his children had and took the opportunities that he never had. Joe was blessed to be married to two lovely and wonderful women during his lifetime, Eva Karkula and Hortensia Escudero. With them, he had five children, Joe Jr, James, Jacob, Joyce, and Jo D. He was a Father figure to Hortensia's children, Ernest, Carolina, Peter, David, and Randolf. He loved and respected all his children. Papa Joe was a devout Catholic. He volunteered many years in his parishes, helping where he could. He prayed the rosary daily for all those he loved and missed. He also prayed to hear the voice of God and to understand what happens to the soul when a person dies. He worked and prayed daily to have the faith of a child. Joe believed strongly that he would know God and get all the answers to his questions one day. Joe is preceded in death by his two wives, Eva and Hortensia, his parents and grandmother, his brothers Francisco, Manuel, and John and his sisters Maria and Mary. He is survived by his children and their spouses, many grandchildren and great grandchildren, his brothers Jalin, Raymond, Louis and sisters, Dolores, Ruth, Reina, and Francisca, his nieces and nephews, and many friends who grew to love him in his new community in Corvallis, Oregon. Papa Joe is greatly missed. His smile, faith, work ethic, and love are enduring. We are blessed to have had him in our lives and to learn so much from him during his life. He will always be in our hearts and prayers, and those of us remaining will continue to live life to its fullest and enjoy every moment as he did. Viewing will be held at Cortner Chapel in Redlands, CA from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM on 4/19/17. Rosary and reflection will follow from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Burial mass will be at 10:00 AM on 4/20/17 at Holy Name of Jesus Parish, 115 Olive St in Redlands, CA. Interment will follow the mass at 11:30 AM at Hillside Memorial Park on Alessandro Road in Redlands, Ca. A life celebration will be held for Papa Joe at 1:00 PM following internment at Holy Name of Jesus Parish Center.