Rodney James Garcia, 42, died peacefully on Friday, Dec. 18 at his Oakdale home.

He was born in Walnut Creek to Miguel Garcia and Kathy Polzin. He grew up in Tracy attending school and moved to Oakdale in 2003 to raise his family.

Mr. Garcia worked for the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory for over 20 years as a hazardous waste management technician.

For many years, he served as a coach to the Tracy Raiders football team and the Oakdale Redskins football team. He was also totally committed to the Oakland Raiders even when the team couldn’t win a game – it didn’t matter – it was all about being a member of the ‘Nation.’

He is survived by his former wife and best friend, Kathy Jones-Garcia; sons, Dylan and Drake Garcia; parents, Miguel Garcia and Kathy Polzin; brothers, Juan and Gonzalo Garcia; sister, Maribel Garcia; uncle, Ben Tutor; aunt, Lisa Naumu; many cousins, nieces and nephews; and many friends in and around Tracy, Oakdale and Livermore.

He was preceded in death by his grandmother, Clara Tutor.

Relatives and friends are welcome to celebrate his life at a funeral service that will be held at 10 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 28 at Fry’s Memorial Chapel, 550 So. Central Ave., Tracy.

The Oakdale (Calif.) Leader

Dec. 23, 2009