Gloria Jean Garcia

Gloria Jean Garcia, age 72, of Moore, OK, passed away peacefully on June 23, 2026 after battling Stage 4 Lung Cancer. She was born April 2, 1954 to James “Jimmy” Kasinger and Ruby Mae Walters Kasinger in Dos Palos, CA.

Gloria met the love of her life, Billy Louis Garcia, in Dos Palos, CA. They eloped on May 28, 1971 in Carson City, NV and were together for 35 years until Billy’s passing in 2006. Gloria and Billy went on to have two children, Angela and Billy Joe “Joey”.

For many years Gloria worked odd jobs until she found her passion for children with disabilities. She started out as a teacher’s aide in Mariposa and then in Atwater and Merced. Once her kids were in high school, Gloria decided to go to college to get her degree She graduated from Chapman University with a Masters in Special Education. Right away she started working for Merced Unified School District as a Special Education Teacher. She taught K-8 students with learning disabilities and resigned in June 2007. She would have continued teaching, but Gloria was a very devoted grandmother and decided since Billy had passed that she would leave her life in California to follow her grandkids who were military brats.

Gloria was all about family. She loved being a mother and grandmother. Her first born was Angela in 1975. She married her husband, Daniel, while they were both active-duty Air Force in 1996. They went on to give Gloria three grandchildren, Haley Brooke (her spouse Braxton Black of Moore, OK), and then twins, Austin Wacker (of Denton, TX) and Harley Wacker (of Norman, OK). In 2007 Gloria moved to Mustang, OK and then on to Moore, OK where she lived out her final years being “GG”, which is what her grandkids called her. Gloria’s lung cancer diagnosis came in May 2023, but she was determined to live long enough to meet her first great grandchild from Haley and Braxton. On July 7, 2023 she got her wish and was able to meet Kimber Dawn Black. Unfortunately, Kimber passed away at 2 months old from SUIDS. This devastated Gloria and broke her will to continue fighting the cancer.

Gloria’s second born was Billy Joe in 1976. He was always the daredevil. Gloria would love to tell the story of how Joey snuck out of his high chair and climbed onto the dining room table to look at the birds out the window. Clapping and laughing Joey ended up falling off the table, she missed him by a millisecond, and had to take care of a toddler in a full body cast for months. Gloria didn’t really have any hobbies, but what she did like was always being present at Joey’s soccer, t-ball and baseball games. It was hard on Gloria when Joey joined the Marines and left CA. After his service, Joey returned to Merced and remained a momma’s boy, making sure to call her everyday even if to just say he was okay so she didn’t worry and that they would talk the next day.

Gloria was predeceased by her parents, Jimmy and Ruby Kasinger, her husband Billy, her sister Betty Winters and her great granddaughter Kimber Dawn Black. She is survived by her brother James Kasinger (wife Susan) of Lodi, CA; Daughter Angela Wacker (husband Daniel) of Norman, OK; Son Billy Joe Garcia of Merced, CA.

Gloria’s ashes will be returned to California to be placed in the niche with Billy at the Merced Cemetery District. Gloria believed in God and Heaven and she knew where she was going. With that belief, she requested no ceremony or church service. So, in honoring her wishes, Angela and Joey will do a private internment. Until we meet again, we will hold onto the memories.