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Post by Mr. Pitch on May 27, 2022 18:53:40 GMT -7
Today was a sad one for me. I received a text early this morning from his family that he had passed away from brain cancer last night. When I think of the players that Artesia built itself on, Boy is one of the first to come to mind. Tough, hard-working, strong, quick and fast. But tough is the first and most descriptive word for him. He played on the '82, '83' and '84 State Title teams. He was pursued by NM Highlands to play college football. But really never wanted to leave T town. Wanted to wear that Artesia jersey and then stay in town and raise his family. A couple of weeks ago a bunch of his teammates went to visit him one last time. There were a bunch of us there to visit with Boy. Came from near and far. Many still live and lead in Artesia. Many came from all over NM and Texas. We crowded around his bed and Robby Ballew held his hand and talked so eloquently to Boy and to us and led us in prayer afterwards. He told some great stories of our times growing up in Artesia. There was a lot of love in that room that Saturday afternoon. Jaime Anaya, a teammate on those teams probably said it best. He said, "This is why we win here. We cared so much and loved each other so much. No one ever cared what color each other were. We had no time for that. This is why Artesia wins." We call it culture in my world. But Jaime said it perfectly. I've always been proud to have grown up in Artesia. It will always be home. It's where I had the pleasure of growing up with these fine men and with Felix Boy Garcia. RIP my friend. See you on the other side.
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Post by Mexican on May 28, 2022 8:10:50 GMT -7
I’m sorry to hear that Tom. Prayers to the family.
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Post by Agent Orange on May 28, 2022 8:36:19 GMT -7
My condolences Mr. Pitch. Great Story.
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Post by titletown30 on May 28, 2022 9:30:14 GMT -7
Some of my earliest memories of Bulldog football were watching Mr. Pitch and Boy load blocking the defensive end and watching that poor guy roll backwards.
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Post by Charliedog on May 31, 2022 6:09:06 GMT -7
Old Bulldogs never die, They live on in the lore and tradition of Dog Nation
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Post by Bulldog11 on May 31, 2022 10:28:19 GMT -7
I just returned from Felix's memorial service. It brought back a lot of memories of growing up, playing ball, and graduating together. Felix was a warrior! He was the best fullback in the state of NM our senior year and was really good on defense too. Much of the success we had on offense was becuase of him. He willingly sacrificed so the rest of the backfield could gain yards. When his number was called to carry the ball he was a beast to tackle. He took that same fighting spirit past high school eventually battling cancer for 10 years. He ultimately lost that battle, not because he quit, but because we are all mortal. I appreciate Tom and Joe organizing the time for some of us to get together a few weeks ago to go out and see Boy. I know it meant a lot to him as it did to me too.
One story that my kids love to hear is Boy and I decided we wanted to go deer hunting our senior year. We never got to go because we always went so deep into the playoffs. We took off one Thursday morning and missed the football film session and school. We came back to town in time to suit up for our pre-game walk through but Coach Harvey had a different plan for us. He called us into the office and laid into us like only he could do. He then told us because we had put ourselves in front of the team we could put our sweats on and go run bleachers until he told us to stop. Boy and I put our sweats on and began to go up and down the home side of the bleachers. When we began there was not another soul outside. Eventually the team came out, warmed up, went through the entire practice, left the field, showered, and headed home. All the while Boy and I ran bleachers. When it was about dark, and 275 bleachers later, Coach Harvey called us inside. He, with the rest of the coaching staff, told us that we would not start in the semi-final game against Ruidoso. He told us that we would not play offense at all but might be able to play defense. Keep in mind that Boy and I played both ways and on almost all the special teams. True to his word neither one of us started and never played offense that night. We were inserted on the defence early in the first half but never on offense. We won the game and were able to start and win the state championship game the next week but I will never forget running all those bleachers with Boy.
I moved away after graduation and lost touch with Boy but there is a brotherhood that runs deep with the guys you went to war with from the 6th grade. I am glad to know that Felix knew Jesus as his Savior and I will get to visit with him again one day.
Life is short! It seems like yesterday we were going through 3-a-days together. (Yes we had 3-a-days) Love your family, love those around you, and make sure your family and friends know that you know Jesus as Savior.
Robby Ballew
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Post by Mr. Pitch on May 31, 2022 11:57:47 GMT -7
I just returned from Felix's memorial service. It brought back a lot of memories of growing up, playing ball, and graduating together. Felix was a warrior! He was the best fullback in the state of NM our senior year and was really good on defense too. Much of the success we had on offense was becuase of him. He willingly sacrificed so the rest of the backfield could gain yards. When his number was called to carry the ball he was a beast to tackle. He took that same fighting spirit past high school eventually battling cancer for 10 years. He ultimately lost that battle, not because he quit, but because we are all mortal. I appreciate Tom and Joe organizing the time for some of us to get together a few weeks ago to go out and see Boy. I know it meant a lot to him as it did to me too. One story that my kids love to hear is Boy and I decided we wanted to go deer hunting our senior year. We never got to go because we always went so deep into the playoffs. We took off one Thursday morning and missed the football film session and school. We came back to town in time to suit up for our pre-game walk through but Coach Harvey had a different plan for us. He called us into the office and laid into us like only he could do. He then told us because we had put ourselves in front of the team we could put our sweats on and go run bleachers until he told us to stop. Boy and I put our sweats on and began to go up and down the home side of the bleachers. When we began there was not another soul outside. Eventually the team came out, warmed up, went through the entire practice, left the field, showered, and headed home. All the while Boy and I ran bleachers. When it was about dark, and 275 bleachers later, Coach Harvey called us inside. He, with the rest of the coaching staff, told us that we would not start in the semi-final game against Ruidoso. He told us that we would not play offense at all but might be able to play defense. Keep in mind that Boy and I played both ways and on almost all the special teams. True to his word neither one of us started and never played offense that night. We were inserted on the defence early in the first half but never on offense. We won the game and were able to start and win the state championship game the next week but I will never forget running all those bleachers with Boy. I moved away after graduation and lost touch with Boy but there is a brotherhood that runs deep with the guys you went to war with from the 6th grade. I am glad to know that Felix knew Jesus as his Savior and I will get to visit with him again one day. Life is short! It seems like yesterday we were going through 3-a-days together. (Yes we had 3-a-days) Love your family, love those around you, and make sure your family and friends know that you know Jesus as Savior. Robby Ballew This is why sometimes you stand back and let Robby speak! He was a great leader in high school , and as you can tell he can really say what needs to be said. Now he makes a living being passionate about Jesus Christ and trying to get people hooked up. One of many reasons I love ya Robby. Greatness!
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Rick
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Post by Rick on Jun 1, 2022 9:56:14 GMT -7
Can anybody post a photo of Felix? I remember his name but not his likeness.
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Post by Mr. Pitch on Jun 1, 2022 11:42:27 GMT -7
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Post by Mr. Pitch on Jun 1, 2022 11:46:37 GMT -7
Rick, Not the best picture of him. Robby may have better shots. You will remember him as the fullboack that played with Robby and Roy Gabaldon and also in the backfield for Jeff Sanders senior season, but a year younger. Really a tough Artesia kid. Probably 5'10 190 lbs.
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Post by Bulldog11 on Jun 1, 2022 12:16:09 GMT -7
Thanks for the kind words Tom. Love you too brother.
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Rick
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Post by Rick on Jun 2, 2022 11:16:29 GMT -7
I remember him now. Thanks, guys.
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Rapid
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Post by Rapid on Jun 13, 2022 4:11:33 GMT -7
[/quote I remember Him awesome RB...
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