Quenten Nabahe Garcia

Quenten Nabahe Garcia, long-time resident of Holladay Utah, passed peacefully on the morning of December 5th with family by his side. He fought a valiant battle with MSA (Multiple System Atrophy) until he was too tired to fight.

Born to Quintin Nemezio Garcia and Antonia Romo on December 18, 1957 in Pasadena, California. They moved to Utah when Quenten was a toddler, he attended South High School. In December of 1974 at the age of 17, Quenten enlisted the United States Navy. He sailed the world aboard Amphibious Transport U.S.S. Francis Marion until he was honorably discharged in 1976 and remained in the reserves until 1980. In 1978 Quenten joined Operating Engineers Local #3 where he remained a member until MSA stole his ability to do the work he loved in December 2023. Quenten was a talented and skilled tradesman and truly enjoyed the work.

Quenten met the love of his life Cherie Michele Haycock at classic skating in 1971 and they were married August 6th 1982 in Holladay, Utah. Quenten wrote many love letters to Cherie while in the Navy and the day he returned home he was in full dress at Cherie’s doorstep looking for his sweetheart. Quenten loved his family above all else and worked from dark to dark for decades to provide a very comfortable life for his family. Quenten truly loved his work and is a legend in the heavy civil construction industry, he spent decades building not only roads and bridges but people, too. Quenten loved all things Caterpillar, he loved boxing and was a golden glove, he loved his Harley Davidson motorcycles. He kept several “extras” around that he would let other people ride to get them into the hobby. Quenten was a very generous person, always taking someone flowers or coffee, employing and looking out for countless people that he saw something in when nobody else would and silently donating to many good causes. Quenten had a spirit that was larger than life, he lit up the room with his presence and he will be greatly missed by many.

Quenten was survived by his wife, Cherie Michele Garcia, his three children Quenten Garcia Jr.(Kaitlin Cazier), Austin Garcia (Marissa Hart),  Nizhoni Povi Garcia(David Woodland), two granddaughters that he spoiled and adored Delilah Nayeli Garcia and Rose Aaliyah Garcia, his siblings Renee Thatcher(John), Laura Gross(Rick), Cynthia Schmidt(Darrell), many nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles. He is also survived by mother-in-law Mary Mahoney and many bonus children and grandchildren he loved and adored.

Quenten was preceded in death by his mother Antonia Romo, Father Quintin Nemezio Garcia, Father-in-law Kenneth Reid Haycock, Sister Gail Olsen-Garcia, Brother in-law Shawn Haycock and several aunts, uncles and cousins.

A viewing and a Celebration of Quenten’s Life will be held on Saturday, December 13, 2025 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Starks Funeral Parlor, 3651 South 900 East, Salt Lake City. Guests are encouraged to use the parking on the north side of the building. Interment will be held Monday, December 15, 2025 at 1:00 PM at Elysian Burial Gardens, 1075 E 4580 S, Millcreek, Utah 84117.