Jesse Raul Garcia passed away in Merced on July 3. He was born June 2, 1943, in Merced, the son of the late Serapio Garcia and Isabel Bettencourt. He attended Livingston Schools and graduated from Livingston High. He served in the United States Army. After the Army he received his bachelor’s degree from Utah State University. Jesse then played professional football for the Philadelphia Eagles. After his football career, he worked for Merced City Schools and then Modesto High and later worked for the Jamestown Correctional Facility. Jesse loved to listen and record music and also write poetry. His most precious love was his granddaughter Sanaiyah. They had a special relationship and he treasured her as much as she treasured him. She became his will and his strength. She loved her “Papa” very much and will deeply miss their play times and talks. Jesse was the youngest of nine children. He was an uncle and great uncle to many. He truly loved his family. His other family was his many great friends. Over the last year he received a tremendous amount of phone calls of support from his former teammates, coaches and former co-workers. Those calls meant the world to him.
He is survived by his daughter, Jessica Garcia of Merced; grandchild, Sanaiyah Garcia; brothers, Lupe Garcia, Louie Garcia and Dick Garcia; and sisters, Roberta Lariosa, Becky Contreras and Yolanda Szylagi. He was preceded in death by brother, Charles Garcia; and sister, Rita Rivera.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to help the family at any Wells Fargo Bank, Acct. # 2986938971.
A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. on July 24 at Allen Mortuary, 247 N. Broadway, Turlock. Please share your memories at  HYPERLINK  "http://www.allenmortuary.com/" www.allenmortuary.com.