Obituaries

Matthew Garcia
Services for Matthew Jonathan Garcia, 35, of Kaufman, were held Dec.16, 2011, at the Concord Church in Dallas with Reverend Ronald Wright officiating. Burial followed at Roselawn Cemetery in Seagoville.
Garcia was born Aug. 19, 1976, in Tulare, Calif., to Carol Dalton and Ernest Garcia and died Dec. 11, 2011, in Dallas.
He married Toni Johnson April 9, 2011, in Somerville.
He served in the U.S. Army from 1994 to 2001 and attained the rank of sergeant upon discharge.
Garcia received several medals and awards during his service. He became a police officer in 2004, serving in the Balch Springs Police Department since 2008.
He was a beloved husband and father as well as a great friend to all he met.
Garcia is preceded in death by his father.
Survivors include his wife, Toni, of Kaufman; son Mark Anthony-Allan Nichols; mother Carol Garcia of Roswell, N.M.; brother Dalton Garcia and his wife, Ursula, of Kansas; sisters Robin Stock and her husband, Joe, of Wyoming, Kristy Daniels and her husband, Ray, of Princeton, and Nina Johnson of New Mexico; six nieces and nephews.

Jerry Rich
Service for Jerry Lynn Rich, 69, of Scurry, were held Dec. 17, 2011, at Mt. Olive Cemetery in Scurry with James Rich officiating.
Jerry Rich was born Jan. 20, 1942, in Dennison, to Daisy and Alvin Whitley and died Dec. 14, 2011.
She graduated from Grand Prairie High School, was Baptist by faith and attended Beautiful Acres Missionary Baptist Church.
Rich loved Elvis and traveling with her daughter to Houston and Dallas to attend his concerts.
She also enjoyed traveling to Washington State and gambling in Las Vegas, Nev.
She is preceded in death by her parents, and brother Teddy Whitley.
Survivors include her first husband, Don Baker, of Lake Worth; daughter Donna Baker of Scurry; grandchildren James Rich of Mesquite, Michelle Whitley of Seven Points; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and lifelong friends Ava Stone and Alice Roberson.