Sgt. Jonathan Garrett Garcia, 29, of Ft. Hood, Texas, passed away on March 26, 2017. He was born on December 6, 1987, in Hattiesburg, MS. Jonathan was educated at home and volunteered for the Mississippi Youth Challenge Academy, which he graduated from, earning his GED. He joined the United States Army at the age of seventeen, and was most recently assigned to the 1st Cavalry Division’s 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team. Jonathan deployed in 2009 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and again in 2011, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Jonathan’s commendations include: the Purple Heart, three Army Commendation Medals, five Army Achievement Medals, Army Good Conduct Medal, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, with Campaign Star, Iraq Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korea Defense Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, and the NATO medal. Jonathan was devoted to his country and his family.
Sgt. Garcia is preceded in death by his uncle, Garrett Garcia. He is survived by his wife, Cassandra Floriano Garcia; two sons, Jory and Brayden; two step-daughters, Natalie Floriano and Meah Floriano; two sisters, Myverick Garcia and Christen Gerlach; mother and step-father, Tina and James Gerlach; father, Randy Diaz; grandmother, June Tibault, and many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.
Visitation will be Sunday, April 2, 2017, from 5-8 at Forrest Funeral Home in Hattiesburg, MS. The service to follow on Monday, April 3, 2017, 11am in Forrest Chapel. Interment will be at Highland Cemetery.