José Candelario Garcia Robles

José Candelario García Robles was born in 1949 to Antonio Garcia and Josefa Robles in the small town of Los Berros, just outside of Durango, Mexico. On August 17, 2026, at the age of 76, José was welcomed into heaven by his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. José lived an adventurous, joyful, Christ-centered, and fulfilling life. He is preceded in death by his beloved parents and his only sibling, his older brother and best friend, Jesus “Chuey” García. José spent his early childhood living in a remote part of Mexico, where his love of nature and animals was nurtured. He spent time bathing and playing in the community’s acequia, and although his family would be considered poor by traditional standards, they were resourceful, family-centered, hard-working, and culturally rich. When José turned 6 years old, his family moved to Juarez, Mexico, and he experienced firsthand the hardships of life along the US-Mexico border. At age 16, José was invited to live with his Tio José, Tia Chelo, and their eight kids in Los Angeles, CA, thus leaving the only country he’d ever known. However, such an invitation would afford him new opportunities and the promise of a more prosperous life for himself and his future family. Due to his father’s participation in the Bracero program, José became a permanent US resident and registered for the military draft during the Vietnam War. He reported for duty and served in the US Army for 2 years, earning the rank of sergeant, while stationed at Fitzsimons Army Base, in Aurora, CO. This assignment would also lead him to meet his beloved and devoted wife of 50 years, Diana Lynn DeHerrera, at the army base’s bowling alley, despite neither one bowling at any other point in their lives! After his honorable discharge from the Army, José settled in East Los Angeles with his parents and brother, while continuing to date Diana long distance. In 1976, Diana and José were married at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church and settled just north of Denver, CO where they raised their three children, Sonya, Andrea, and Joseph. Always curious and a natural innovator, José attended Front Range Community College and earned an associate’s degree in engineering drafting. He worked at Coors Brewing Company for 36 years, where he had many close friends who affectionately called him “Candy Man.” José retired from the Quality Control Department in 2012. José’s hobbies and interests were bountiful throughout his life. From handball to golfing to playing a weekly poker game with a close group of mostly retired friends, who were fondly referred to as, “The Golden Boys”, José was a friend, mentor, and father figure to many. He also fostered a loving and mutually respectful relationship with his two son-in-laws. However, none cherished him as much as his wife, children, and two grandchildren, Sofia and Josiah, with whom he played endless games, took swimming in the ocean on beach vacations, and imparted his most valued life lessons and wise advice. Collectively, they were the loves of his life and he was theirs. He will always be deeply loved and greatly missed. José is survived by his loving wife, Diana DeHerrera Garcia, daughter and son-in-law Sonya and George Ulibarri, daughter and son-in-law Andrea and Peter Schoelzel, son Joseph Garcia, granddaughter Sofia Michael Garcia (Ulibarri) and grandson Josiah Candelario Ulibarri, as well as a large extended family and many cherished friends. Funeral services are as follows: Memorial Service and Luncheon Wednesday, September 2 at 10:30 am Landing Place Church 11555 Chambers Road, Brighton, CO 80022 Committal Service and Military Honors Thursday, September 3 at 10:30 am Fort Logan National Cemetery 3698 S. Sheridan Boulevard, Denver, CO 80236 In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in José’s honor to the Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition.