In tribute: Flavio Garcia always had a big smile

For the roles he served and the good impressions he left, it would seem Flavio Garcia lived a lifetime in his 23 years.

"He aimed high and always tried to be the best that he could be," read his obituary, published soon after a car accident claimed his life last month outside Friona. His stepfather Manuel Vizcarra told The News that Garcia was leaving his shift at Cargill Meat Solutions and didn't see an oncoming truck that hit his driver side and killed him instantly.

Garcia had only been working there about a week, Vizcarra said. Before that he worked for Clovis' schools and police department, and since childhood was known for his outgoing and friendly personality.

Clovis Schools Deputy Superintendent Joe Strickland said he first knew Garcia when Garcia was an elementary student.

"Flavio was awesome. He was a great individual. ... He was probably in first or second grade when I met him, and I ran the after-school program at that time," Strickland said Thursday. "He was the most outgoing little guy. He talked to adults, he talked to kids. He always had a big smile on his face. ... Everybody knew who he was - he made really good connections with people, even as a kid. I never remember him without (that smile), even when he was little."

It was exactly that easygoing, approachable and personable demeanor that would make Garcia well-suited for his role years later as a migrant recruiter for Clovis Municipal Schools, said Strickland, who was his supervisor in that position for about a year. Garcia had been hired into the spot after a period as an educational assistant at Los Ninos Elementary School, where he is also well-remembered.

"There are people who knew him far greater than I did, but he made a huge impression on me from the first time I met him in March 2015 when he helped Ms. Robin Williams at Los Ninos. I can easily say that he made the kids happy and he was a good soul," wrote Constance Williams in a message to The News.

"His death is a loss on so many levels, I can't express it."

Garcia worked at the school before a short time with the Clovis Police Department, during which he had decided his talents were better suited elsewhere.

"Just prior to release from Field Training, Flavio realized this career was not meant for him," said CPD Capt. Roman Romero. "Flavio voiced that he believed he could do more for his community by working with kids."

Romero said Garcia "positively impacted many of the people he worked with," even just in that five-month period from September 2016 to February last year. Two officers hired concurrent with him were among the pallbearers at his funeral Feb. 15.

"He was a good-hearted young man who cared deeply about his family. As he checked in his issued gear, we spoke. I praised him for his courage," Romero wrote in a message to The News. "I say courage because I have known Officers who didn't have the courage to realize their limitations; their relationships paid for this choice."

One of Garcia's brothers, 14-year old Manuel Vizcarra Jr., said he hopes to follow in the footsteps of his role model and consider a career with law enforcement.

"He was my mentor. He taught me everything I know," Manuel said. "He taught me how to flirt with girls, taught me how to wash my own clothes, taught me how to do most of my homework."

Garcia is survived by parents, siblings, aunts, uncles and numerous cousins.