Gift of Life: Matthew Garcia: Photos

Matthew Garcia, 40, lays in the hospital bed connected to a ventilator surrounded by family members, including his sister-in-law Delisa Garcia, center, and nephew Jax Lane, 9, right, as the family spends their final moments with Garcia and say their goodbyes before he is taken off life support at Presbyterian Hospital in Albuquerque on March 15. Garcia donated two kidneys—one to a recipient in Oregon and another to a recipient in Texas.

Debra and Robert Garcia spend time with their son 40-year-old son Matthew Garcia before he is taken off life support at Presbyterian Hospital in Albuquerque on March 15. Garcia donated two kidneys, one to a recipient in Oregon and another to a recipient in Texas.

Around 200 friends, family members, and a group of firefighters lined the hallway of Presbyterian Hospital during Matthew Garcia's donor walk on March 15, 2025. Garcia donated two kidneys, one to a recipient in Oregon and another to a recipient in Texas.

Around 200 friends, family members, and a group of firefighters lined the hallway of Presbyterian Hospital during Matthew Garcia's donor walk on March 15, 2025. Garcia donated two kidneys, one to a recipient in Oregon and another to a recipient in Texas.

Ashton Lane, 11, the niece of Matthew Garcia, weeps with her family during Garcia's donor walk procession down the hallway of Presbyterian Hospital on March 15, 2025. Garcia donated two kidneys—one to a recipient in Oregon and another to a recipient in Texas.

Nikki Randall, 8, center, weeps on the floor outside the hospital room where her uncle, Matthew Garcia, 40, is about to be taken off life support, accompanied by Roberta Nieto, left, and her cousins Troy Garcia, 10, Isabella Garcia, 12, and Jax Lane, 9, right, at Presbyterian Hospital in Albuquerque.

Isabella Garcia, 12, weeps on the floor outside the hospital room where her uncle, Matthew Garcia, 40, is about to be taken off life support, at Presbyterian Hospital in Albuquerque, N.M., on March 15, 2025. Garcia donated his two kidneys—one to a recipient in Oregon and another to a recipient in Texas.

Robert Garcia, Nadia Randall, 18, Debra Garcia, and Nashe Randall stand at the bedside of Matthew Garcia, 40, during the final moments before he is taken off life support at Presbyterian Hospital in Albuquerque.

Matthew Garcia's family surround his bedside as he is taken off life support at Presbyterian Hospital in Albuquerque, N.M., on March 15, 2025. After his passing, Garcia donated his two kidneys—one to a recipient in Oregon and the other to a recipient in Texas.

Matthew Garcia's family surround his bedside and place their hands on his feet as he is taken off life support at Presbyterian Hospital in Albuquerque, N.M., on March 15, 2025. After his passing, Garcia donated his two kidneys—one to a recipient in Oregon and the other to a recipient in Texas.

Debra Garcia kisses her 40-year-old son Matthew Garcia on the forehead after his passing at Presbyterian Hospital in Albuquerque, N.M., on March 15, 2025. Garcia donated his two kidneys—one to a recipient in Oregon and the other to a recipient in Texas.

Delisa Garcia, sister-in-law of Matthew Garcia, and his sister Nashe Randall hold each other close as they leave the hospital room after he passed away at Presbyterian Hospital in Albuquerque, N.M., on March 15, 2025. Garcia donated his two kidneys—one to a recipient in Oregon and the other to a recipient in Texas.

Fr. Irby C. Nichols officiates Matthew Garcia's funeral mass at St. Anne's Catholic Church in Southwest Albuquerque, New Mexico, on Tuesday, March 25, 2025. Hundreds of people attended Garcia’s service.

Robert and Debra Garcia mourn the loss of their son, Matthew Garcia, 40, during a funeral mass at St. Anne's Catholic Church in Southwest Albuquerque, N.M., on Tuesday, March 25, 2025. Hundreds of people attended Garcia’s service.

Fr. Irby C. Nichols officiates Matthew Garcia's funeral mass at St. Anne's Catholic Church in Southwest Albuquerque, New Mexico, on Tuesday, March 25, 2025.

The casket of Matthew Garcia, 40, is carried out of St. Anne's Catholic Church during his funeral mass in Southwest Albuquerque, N.M., on Tuesday, March 25, 2025. Hundreds attended Garcia’s service.

The family of Matthew Garcia, 40, mourns his loss during his burial at Sunset Memorial Park in Albuquerque, N.M., on Tuesday, March 25, 2025.

Omar Garcia lays a flower on the casket of his brother, Matthew Garcia, during his burial at Sunset Memorial Park in Albuquerque on March 25.

Debra Garcia, the mother of Matthew Garcia, weeps alongside her grandchildren, Ashton Lane, 11, Troy Garcia, 10, and Jax Lane, 9, as well as her husband, Robert Garcia, right, who is Matthew's father, during his burial at Sunset Memorial Park in Albuquerque, N.M., on Tuesday, March 25, 2025.

Family members sprinkle dirt on top of Matthew Garcia's casket after Garcia is lowered into the ground during his burial at Sunset Memorial Park in Albuquerque, N.M., on Tuesday, March 25, 2025.

Ashton Lane, 11, comforts her grandmother Debra Garcia during the burial of Matthew Garcia at Sunset Memorial Park in Albuquerque, N.M.,, on Tuesday, March 25, 2025.

Photographs of Matthew Garcia with his family displayed on a table at the home of his parents, Debra and Robert Garcia, in the South Valley of Albuquerque, N.M., on March 18, 2025.

Matthew Garcia’s medals displayed in his room at the home of his parents, Debra and Robert Garcia, in the South Valley of Albuquerque, N.M., on March 18, 2025.

Debra Garcia looks at photographs of her son Matthew Garcia in his room at their home in the South Valley of Albuquerque, N.M., on March 18, 2025.

Melissa Lane, talks to the Journal about her brother, Matthew Garcia, as her daughter Ashton Lane, 11, comforts her, alongside her sister, Nashe Randall, left, at their parents' home in the South Valley of Albuquerque, N.M., on March 18, 2025.

Photographs of Matthew Garcia hang in his room at the home of his parents, Debra and Robert Garcia, in the South Valley of Albuquerque, N.M., on March 18, 2025.

Chancey Bush

Chancey Bush Chancey Bush Chancey Bush Photographer

Published April 11, 2025 - 11:00 a.m. Modified April 11, 2025 - 11:17 a.m.

‘He’s like a real life superhero’: Matthew Garcia died a hero to those who will receive his organ donations

As featured on - ‘He’s like a real life superhero’: Matthew Garcia died a hero to those who will receive his organ donations

Matthew Garcia’s final day on was spent surrounded by friends, family members and firefighters who saluted him as his hospital bed was rolled through the hallways during his donor walk. Here's his story.

multimedia news

Powered by Labrador CMS