Celebration of Life: Elias 'Eli' Martinez Garcia Jr., March 1, 1955 – July 29, 2024

Provided.

Elias "Eli" Martinez Garcia Jr.

It is with deep sadness that we share the passing of Elias "Eli" Martinez Garcia Jr. of Tehachapi, California. He died peacefully at home on July 29, 2024, at the age of 69.

Elias was born in Glendale, California on March 1, 1955, to parents Elias Sr. and Esther Tovar Garcia. He grew up in Sunland, in the San Fernando Valley. There he met the beautiful red-headed girl next door, Cheryl Schilling. They were high school sweethearts and eventually married in May of 1977. In February of 1978, Elias and Cheryl welcomed their first son, Elias Garcia III. Both Elias and Cheryl continued growing their family by welcoming their second son David Garcia in February of 1981. In July of 1982, Elias and Cheryl completed their family with the addition of their daughter, Paula Garcia. The little Garcia family would be raised in Tujunga, California until the summer of 1989 where they would move and settle into the small town of Tehachapi, California.

Elias was adventurous. At 16 years old he worked at a small airport in the valley and learned to fly. He rode motorcycles, both dirt and street. He went to trade school and became a welder. Working various shop jobs, he found his passion welding on aircrafts. In 1979, Elias went to work at Lockheed in Burbank. Elias would eventually be transferred from Lockheed in Burbank to Palmdale. In 1990 he was laid off from Lockheed. In order to keep the family afloat, Elias started a successful fencing/welding company, CEEDAP Welding and Fencing. To provide benefits for his family, Elias also worked nights at William Bolthouse Farms. In 1994, Elias was called back to Lockheed where he eventually retired in 2010.

Elias is survived by: his son, Elias Garcia III and his wife Patricia Garcia; his son David Garcia and wife Praew Garcia; his daughter Paula (Garcia) Colon and husband Michael Colon; grandchildren Crystal (Garcia) Tirado, Andrew Garcia, Gryphon Colon, Daniel Garcia and Darren Garcia; great-grandchild Ailani Tirado; sister Irene (Garcia) Benavidez and husband Andrew Benavidez; nephew Justus Benavidez and wife Krys Benavidez; and mother-in-law Paula Raboy. Elias was preceded in death by his parents Elias and Esther Garcia, wife Cheryl Garcia and nephew Marcus Benavidez.

Services for Elias are to be determined and announced by the family at a later date.

In lieu of flowers or donations, the family requests considering making a donation to St. Jude on behalf of Elias Garcia.