Johnny Garcia

John ( Johnny ) Garcia, 83 years of age, passed away March 8, 2025. A memorial service will be held at Bismarck Funeral Home on Wednesday, March 12, 2025at 10:00 am.

John was born April 1, 1941 in Ramah, New Mexico to Zonnie Coho and Ramon Garcia. John was a member of the Navajo Tribe and was raised in the Ramah / Pinehill, New Mexico area. In his youth he helped his family raise corn, cattle and sheep at the family ranch located in Pinehill, New Mexico.

John attended and graduated from high school while residing in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He served as a Navajo Nation Tribal Police Officer serving in the Fort Defiance Arizona area and later served in the U.S. Army National Guard for 3 years.

John then attended Technical School in Denver Colorado and studied drafting/civil engineering technician training. While in Denver he met and Married Barbara J Goodbird.McKenzie. He and Barbara raised two Sons, Lynn Garcia, now of Phoenix Arizona and Dean Garcia, now residing in San Diego California. They also raised a Foster Daughter, Debbie Rose Scott of Bismarck, ND.

John exhibited dedication to his career as a Civil Engineer Technician, he worked for the US Department of the Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs and spent much of his 40 year career as a highway inspector with the Bureau of Indian Affairs. His dedication to excellence in his career helped him advance to the title of Supervisory Civil Engineer Technician, and he received a commendation from the Bureau for his hard work, attention to detail and his ability to ensure highway project completion with exemplary results.

His Wife Barbara spoke of John’s dedication to provide for their family and spoke to her sons of how during their early years together with an unreliable car, John would walk miles to work in winter weather when their vehicle would not start, to ensure the family had all they needed.

John was dedicated to raising and providing for his family. John thoroughly understood and lived the Bible verse “Colossians 3:23 “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.” He was an example of hard work, fortitude and sacrifice for his family.

John enjoyed fishing in the Missouri River and attending Pow Wows in the Dakotas. He was also a big fan of old Western/Cowboy movies.

John is survived by his Sons, Lynn (Denise) Garcia of Phoenix, Az., Dean Garcia of San Diego, Ca.; Foster Daughter Debbie Rose Scott of Bismarck, ND; grandchildren, Alexis Garcia, Nicholas Garcia and Harrison Goodbird; Great-Grandchildren, Alexander Garcia and Elora McCoy. He is also survived by his brothers, Ramon Coho, AZ, Mike Garcia, and Roy Garcia of Pinehill, NM, Husky Chatto, Bloomfield NM and his sisters, Eileen Garcia, Veronica Garcia and Bessie Garcia of Pinehill NM.

John has now joined these family members in Heaven, his wife Barbara Garcia; Son John Garcia Jr., and parents Ramon Garcia and Zonnie Coho.