Bellard Garcia

Bellard James Garcia, age 68, of Rifle, Colorado passed away Thursday, October 8th, 2015 at his residence. Born June 16, 1947 in Montrose, Colorado, he was the son of the late Alfred and Virginia Garcia. As a child, Bellard was stricken with polio and doctors said he would never walk. He not only proved the doctors wrong by walking, he overcame one obstacle after another and became an inspiration to people all over the nation. He actually was the "poster child" for the March of Dimes. When the first President Bush was in the White House, Bellard was honored at a ceremony at the National Rehabilitation Hospital in Washington D. C. He became a positive influence to thousands and received recognition by every state in the union for overcoming such an immense disability. He was inducted into the Smithsonian Institute at the Kennedy Center for having excelled with a handicap. As a member of his high school wrestling team, he had a 95 and 5 record throughout his academic career. After graduating from College, he went on to be a successful high school teacher who also coached boys wrestling and girls volley ball. He had the distinction of taking the U.S. wrestling team to Germany. He loved hunting and he also operated the Puma Paws Guest Ranch. Bellard was a warm, welcoming and generous person who opened his heart and home to countless people over the years. He would literally give the shirt off his back, and do whatever it took to get young people back on their feet. Survivors include his wife, Roberta J. Garcia, a son, Troy Garcia, a son/nephew, Joey Velasquez, a son/nephew, Rolando Velasquez, son/nephew, Raul Quintana, a niece, Justice Aurelia, all of Rifle, CO, Sister and family, Freda Drinkhouse, Battlement Mesa, sister-in-law, Louise Quintana, Rifle, CO and many more family and friends that he was such a big part of their lives and they were a big part of his. Friends are invited to a visitation Thursday, October 15th from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. at Brown's Cremation and Funeral Chapel, 904 North 7th Street in Grand Junction. Friends are also invited to attend services at St Mary's Catholic Church in Rifle on Friday, October 16, 2015. The Rosary will be recited at 10 a.m. The Mass will be at 11 a.m. followed immediately by inurnment at Rose Hill Cemetery in Rifle. St Mary's Church will host a reception immediately following the ceremony at Rose Hill Cemetery.