Jacobo Lopez Garcia

Jacobo (‘Jack’) Lopez García, 96, of Bozeman, passed away from pneumonia on Wednesday, April 6th, after an infection.

Jack was born in Eagle Pass, Texas on May 27, 1919, to Jorge and Julia Lopez García. Jack attended elementary school and then went to work on a cattle ranch, branding, feeding, and breaking in horses. During the 1930s Jack’s family traveled to eastern Montana to work in the crop fields.

When WWII broke out the family returned to Texas; Jack and his brother George enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1942. Jack’s service duties included driving trucks for the supply lines, and storming the beaches at Normandy on the third day of the invasion. He was awarded numerous commendations, and honorably discharged in 1945.

Jack’s family decided to settle in Montana, and they all moved to Sidney. This was where, on a blind date at a local dance hall, Jack met Evagrace McLaughlin, the love of his life. To their blessed union in 1950 five children were born: George, Jackie, Janez, Judy, and Janet. The family moved to Bozeman in 1967.

Jack worked in construction, concrete, building, carpentry, and mechanics. He coached the Sidney baseball team for a number of years. Jack enjoyed horseback riding and the family belonged to the local saddle club. Fishing, hunting and golfing were his passion, and he golfed until his health wouldn’t allow him to continue. He retired from Gallatin Farmers in 1983. Jack & Evagrace loved camping and fishing together, and traveled to Texas, Washington state, as well as to Montana’s major lakes.

Jack and Evagrace were lifelong members of the Order of the Eagles, Bozeman Bowling League, UCT, and the VFW. Jack will be remembered for his thriftiness; for neat, tidy manners, his strength, leadership, and outspoken ways.

Jack was preceded in death by his parents, George and Julia, by sisters Josephine and Leonora, brother George, and daughter, Janet. Survivors include wife Evagrace, sister Dorothy McQuistin of Bozeman; son George (Beverly) García of Three Forks, MT; daughters Jackie (Ray) Harrison of Manhattan, MT; Janez (Mick) Moog of Fort Collins, CO, and Judy McLaughlin of Belgrade MT. Jack and Evagrace have eight grandchildren, nine great grandchildren, and eight great-great grandchildren. A graveside service at Sunset Hills cemetery will be held Saturday April 23 at 9:30 am, with full military honors.

Memories and condolences may be shared at www.dahlcares.com