Timothy Garcia

Timothy W.  Garcia: The Fixer of Everything.

Due to NC laws against performing a Viking funeral, we will not be sending Tim’s remains down the French Broad on a burning pyre to Valhalla, the home of slain warriors. Same to his suggestions we throw him on the fire pit in the back yard. Sorry, my Love. A beautiful boy was born in Chicago IL, to 19-year-old Betty Hanlin. With his mother’s blue eyes and high cheek bones, he was adopted Don Garcia and his bride, Thelma. Tim grew up in Fallbrook CA, where he had an idyllic childhood; riding bikes, adventures with friends, Boy Scouts, and summers spent visiting national monuments. He attended school with the same friends from 1st grade thru the graduation of the FUHS Class of 1982, in which Sally, the blow up doll, sailed through the air along with beach balls. Rumors that Tim may have had something to do with smuggling Sally in are highly exaggerated.

Tim’s plans to attend Annapolis and become a Naval officer ended with his surprise diagnosis of Polycystic Kidney Disease at age 17.

Tim left CA to travel the world. Tim fell in love with scuba diving, becoming a Master Diver and accruing over 500 dives in which he explored the deep blue waters off the coasts of Fiji, Australia, Mexico, Thailand, and the US. He returned to CA to attend college at Humboldt State University and Cal-Poly, San Luis Obispo. Tim obtained his Masters in structural engineering, working as a contractor, a builder, and a teacher. Tim’s work can be seen at the Talisker Ski Club in Park City UT, the wind-turbines outside of Palm Springs CA, and in many projects completed for friends.

In September 2011, Tim’s kidney’s failed, he started dialysis and the search for a kidney donor. During this time, we located his biological half-brother, Andy Terraciano. In October of 2020, in the middle of Covid pandemic, Tim received a kidney transplant. We named his kidney Rory, after a beloved friend.  Despite multiple hospitalizations, Tim continued to share his energy, skills, and expertise, and with friends. He spent time puttering around in his garden, growing herbs and vegetables. Tim regularly volunteered at the Veterans Healing Farm in Hendersonville NC, providing his expert advice on all subjects under the sun, while enjoying local coffee shops.

After a prolonged bout of pneumonia, Tim was admitted to UNC Chapel Hill ICU in December. After weeks of hospital food, Tim came home to Asheville. Tim spent his days on the phone with friends, holding court with very special people, sharing stories, and watching DVDs of FUHS football. (Thanks Sid.)

On February 24th, Tim quietly slipped away on his own terms, with the sun on his face, surrounded with love.

Tim is survived by his love, Maggi Mendoza, his chosen daughter Sara Mendoza-Heath, our Kansas family, Shawn, Melissa, and Kyla McClure, and fur-babies: Gris, Olly, Dahshi, and Shiro. Tim was loved by his chosen family and friends from all over this big blue marble. From the many places he called home in CA: Fallbrook, San Onofre, San Luis Obispo, Grass Valley, Palm Springs, Arcata and Eureka to the beautiful places he traveled to explore the depths of ocean to his forever home in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Tim’s vast Google-esque knowledge of all things, his generosity, his amazing cooking, and his dry humor will be with us always.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Asheville Cat Weirdos emergency fund. A Celebration of Tim’s Amazing Life will be held soon. Please contact Maggi for information.