Paul A. Garcia Open Division
The Open Division has been named in Perpetuity
Paul A. Garcia was a long-time sponsor of Eppie's Great Race®, having been involved for over ten years. Paul was a strong supporter of other local academic and athletic activities, as well, including St. Francis High School, St. Albans Country Day School, Special Olympics of Northern California and River City La Crosse Club.
Paul was always a "soft touch" when any child was selling anything for his or her organization or school. He was known for buying out all of the Girl Scout cookies in front of the local grocery store and giving the kids a little extra. Anytime an employee's child needed a donation for a fund-raising event- with a twinkle in his eye - Paul would ask tough questions of the child and then open his wallet, always giving more than what he was asked to donate.
Professionally, Paul was trained as an industrial engineer with an MBA from Oregon State University. He became involved in the multi-family housing industry back in 1974, when he bought his first apartment complex in Redding. Twenty-five years later, Paul owned and operated over 3,500 apartment units in California, Washington, Arizona, Hawaii and Florida. During the past ten years, Paul became involved in the rehab of over 1,300 low-income housing units. He worked with the Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency on several projects in Sacramento providing affordable housing in hard to develop areas. Paul took pride in supplying quality, affordable housing for the less fortunate.
Paul traveled extensively throughout his life, both for business and pleasure. He was a life-long boating enthusiast, collecting and restoring numerous antique wooden boats. He was a board member of the Century Boat Club and regularly participated in the antique wooden boat show in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho.
Paul Garcia was a visionary who always pushed those around him to stretch their limits. He was always willing to put his money where his mouth was. His support of Eppie’s Great Race® was a result of his respect for Eppie Johnson and his respect for the participating athletes pushing their limits.
 Paul A. Garcia |
Thank you to the following who have pledged a total of $15,000 each year - for the next five years - to the race charity, Sacramento County Therapeutic Recreation Services, in memory of Paul A. Garcia: Saratoga Capital, Inc Real Vest Corporation |