Robert Garcia

Robert “Bobby G” Garcia was a kid at heart who believed in living for today. He was fun, fearless, strong, generous to a fault, and always willing to give—even during times when he didn’t have much to give.

Throughout his life, Robert served others in many ways. He was a proud Marine, police officer, and detective—roles well suited to a man who believed that with determination, just about anything could be accomplished. “I can’t” simply wasn’t part of his vocabulary, and he made sure it wasn’t part of his children’s either. His words of wisdom were characteristically straightforward: “It hurts, but it’s

gonna be okay.” “Crying won’t help.” And, of course, “‘I can’t’ isn’t in your vocabulary.”

There wasn’t much sugarcoating with Bobby G, but behind those words was a man teaching his children to be strong, resilient, and unafraid of

whatever life put in front of them. For all of his toughness, Bobby loved deeply. He shared an especially close bond with his mother and catered to her, particularly in her later years. That meant frequent Starbucks runs for white chocolate mochas, shopping excursions, and making sure there was always something sweet waiting for her for dessert. Caring

for her wasn’t an obligation—it was simply what Bobby did for someone he adored.

Family remained at the center of his life. He spoke with his beloved sister, Mary, and brother, Joe, every day. The loss of his mother and his youngest brother, Andy, affected him profoundly. Their deaths broke his heart in a way that those closest to him felt he never completely recovered from. The depth of that grief was perhaps a reflection of the depth with which Bobby loved.

And Bobby G certainly knew how to enjoy life. He loved boxing, Caitlin Clark, cop shows, cooking shows, music of every genre, the sound of rain, and keeping a very close eye on the weather. In fact, he once said that he wished he had been a tornado chaser—a career choice that probably surprised absolutely no one who knew his fearless nature.

He loved to barbecue, and he wasn’t just good at it—he was REALLY good at it. He also loved playing poker, although his poker face left something to be desired. Whenever he had absolutely nothing, he had a habit of repeatedly tapping one of his cards on the table. His family figured out the tell long ago. Bobby knew they knew. And somehow, he kept doing it anyway.

He was a stickler for cleanliness and promptness—the earlier, the better—and had an appreciation for things being, in one of his favorite words, “immaculate.” A situation might also be described as “hellacious,” while a particularly good day could simply be “fantastic.” Those who knew him will undoubtedly hear his voice when they hear those words.

Bobby G also seemed to possess an extraordinary amount of luck. Perhaps fittingly, one of his final sports achievements was kicking a regulation-distance field goal at Cowboys Stadium—a moment that perfectly captured the man he was: confident enough to try, determined enough to do it, and probably never particularly concerned with whether anyone thought he could.

Robert lived his life with strength, humor, generosity, courage, and an

unwavering belief that today was meant to be lived. He loved fiercely, and when he lost someone, he loved, he felt that loss just as fiercely. He leaves behind countless stories, lessons, laughs, and memories that will continue to be told by the people who loved him.

He is survived by his daughters Patty and Vic; his son Esteban (Steven); his sisters Gloria, Mary, and Sylvia; and his brothers Joe, Alex, and Feliciano (Flea).

For those who knew and loved Bobby G, perhaps the best way to honor him is simple: show up early, keep things immaculate, put on some good music, barbecue something fantastic, pay attention to the weather, have dessert—and never say, “I can’t.”

There will be a memorial service to celebrate Robert’s life at 2:00 p.m., Monday, October 5, 2026, at Allen Family Funeral Options.

He will be laid to rest with military honors at 11:15 a.m., Monday October 12, 2026, at the Dallas/Ft. Worth National Cemetery.