Dane Justin Garcia

Staff Sergeant Dane J. Garcia, 26 of Devils Lake, ND, stationed at Fort Campbell, Kentucky died at his home in Clarksville, Tennessee on Wednesday, February 21, 2007. Funeral Services for Dane will be held on Wednesday, February 28, 2007 at 10:30 a.m. at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Devils Lake. Rev. Jamie Desai will officiate and burial will be in the Devils Lake Cemetery. Military Honors will be accorded by the Neathery-Simensen Post #756, Devils Lake Veterans of Foreign Wars. Visitation will be held at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Tuesday from 2:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. with the family present from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Visitation on Wednesday will be at the church one hour prior to the funeral service. Serving as Casket Bearers for Dane will be Kelly Bednarz, Jason Bednarz, David Garcia III, Ronald Wren, Luke Klemetsrud and Jack Anderson. Music will be provided by Donovan Foughty, soloist and Lynda Pearson, organist Dane Justin Garcia was born in Devils Lake, ND on March 13, 1980 to Greg and Tami (Bednarz) Garcia. He was reared and educated in Devils Lake attending Devils Lake Public School. Dane graduated from Devils Lake High School in the class of 1998. At a young age, Dane was very interested in a military career and was a member of ROTC in high school. The summer before his senior year, Dane attended boot camp at Fort Sill, Oklahoma as a member of the North Dakota National Guard Unit out of Camp Grafton. On June 2, 1999, Dane enlisted in the United States Army at Fort Irwin, California and while stationed at Fort Irwin, Dane graduated with an Associate Degree of Science from Barstow College with emphasis on chemical equipment and chemical warfare. He was then stationed at Fort Drum, New York and while stationed there, Dane was deployed to Afghanistan from October of 2003 until May of 2004. Dane returned to Fort Drum where he was a part of the Air Ambulance and Medical Company until March of 2005 when he was sent overseas to Camp Humphrey, South Korea. His most recent assignment has been at Fort Campbell, Kentucky receiving training as an aircraft mechanic. Dane advanced to the rank of Staff Sergeant in 2006. Awards and Decorations received by Dane for his service to his country include, Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Award four times, Distinguished Combat Service Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal three times, National Defense Service Medal, Army Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Army Service Medal, Aviation Badge and Drivers/Mechanics Badge. Dane was proud and honored to serve his country and will be remembered as a dedicated soldier. Dane was a baptized and confirmed member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church and a life member of the Devils Lake Veterans of Foreign Wars. Dane enjoyed deer hunting, bow hunting, sailing, sports and looked forward to a new challenge in hunting wild turkeys. He loved being an older brother and always took a special interest in what was happening in their lives. Our dear, sweet, loveable son, brother, grandson, nephew and cousin will be forever in our hearts, forever loved and forever missed. Dane is survived by his parents: Greg Garcia of Lakewood, ND Tami Romine and her husband, Todd of Devils Lake Brothers: Jared Garcia, Devils Lake Jordan Garcia at home Grandparents: Joyce and Dale Kruckenberg, Devils Lake Estella Garcia, Belcourt, ND Homer Romine, Devils Lake Many aunts, uncles and cousins also survive. Godparents; Jack Anderson and Melodee Thompson He was preceded in death by his grandfathers, Robert Bednarz and David Garcia II; grandmother, Doris Romine; uncle, Kirk Garcia and special cousin, Celeste Keplin.