Dina Garcia

Dina Garcia - loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, daughter, sister, aunt, niece, cousin, friend and “band mom” to many - passed away on August 7, 2025, at the age of 79 in Avon, Indiana.

Dina was born to Emilia and Ramon Lucero in Las Cruces, NM on October 30, 1945. She lived the majority of her life there and graduated from Las Cruces High School. A few years after graduation, she met the love of her life, David Garcia, and they spent 54 years together as they built their family. Married in 1968, David and Dina raised two sons together, Richard and Paul. Dina worked in doctors’ offices, and in various jewelry stores over the years. In later years, she worked with her husband at the local farmers’ market, selling jewelry he designed and created.

Through the years, Dina enjoyed spending time with her family, being a band parent, and making friends wherever she went. Dina and David started as band parents at Las Cruces High and later followed their sons to NMSU to become the official band parents of the NMSU Pride Band for many years. She was “Mom Garcia” to many through those experiences. Later in life, she loved being a grandma. Dina was authentically and wholeheartedly there for those in her life.

Dina was preceded in death by her husband, David, and her parents Emilia and Ramon. She was also preceded by her siblings, Estella Evans, Mabel Thompson, David Lucero, Sally Rivera, and Joel Lucero. 

She is survived by her son Richard and his husband Frank Chiki in Las Cruces; her son Paul and his wife Lisa in Raleigh, North Carolina; her grandchildren Tony Garcia-Chiki and his son Osiris, James Garcia-Chiki, Zachary Garcia-Chiki, Emily Garcia-Chiki, Sydney Garcia, and Addison Garcia; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Honorary pallbearers are John Fannin, Michael Fannin, Renee Caro, Jake Evans, Darlene Thompson Conway, Phillip Lucero, Chris Rivera, and Deborah Lucero Fagan.

In Dina and David’s memory, donations may be made to their memorial fund, which will support a scholarship at the NMSU Music Department.

Memorial services will be held at Getz Funeral Home (1410 E Bowman Ave, Las Cruces, NM 88001) on Monday, September 29 at 6:00 p.m. A private interment will be held the following day.

Getz Funeral Home is managing the arrangements.