The George Fox University community is mourning the loss of one of its own after Javier Garcia’s sudden death on the Oregon Coast.

Garcia died June 19 in a surfing accident at Short Sand Beach, a popular spot for surfers adjacent to Oswald West State Park north of Manzanita.

A wake and vigil were held June 22 in Bauman Auditorium. A memorial service followed Wednesday in the auditorium.

The 34-year-old native of Cincinnati joined the faculty in 2016 after earning his doctorate in theology from the University of Cambridge in England. At George Fox, he was named director of the school’s honor program and became an associate professor of religious studies earlier this year.

“As director, I really appreciate building relationships with prospective and current students in the program,” he said prior to his death. “I am humbled by the opportunity to teach such bright students who are eager to learn and grow in their faith.”

Garcia graduated magna cum laude from Georgetown University, majoring in French and philosophy. He penned his first book, “Recovering the Ecumenical Bonhoeffer: Thinking After the Tradition,” in 2019.

Praise, prayers and condolences poured into the university at the news of his death.

“Javier Garcia had a face that radiated light,” Brian Doak, the associate provost, said in a release. “His smile could turn your day around. His laughter, listening ear and friendship changed my life — and those of us who loved him will be spending the rest of our lives wondering why this happened.

“Javier was an adventurer. He lived in at least six or seven countries, spoke four languages and traveled broadly across North America, South America, Europe, Asia and Africa in his 34 years on Earth.”

Doak recounted how earlier this month Garcia had traveled to Costa Rica to practice a sport in which he had become proficient.

“Earlier this June he spent a week at a surfing camp in Costa Rica, where he honed his skills in the ocean doing what he loved,” Doak said. “He was a strong swimmer and an experienced surfer. Whether on land or sea or mountain, Javier was up for almost anything.”

Garcia is survived by his parents, a brother and two sisters.