Jose "Ed" Marquez

Jose Eduvigen Marquez was born on April 23, 1936 in Rosa, Rio Arriba County, New Mexico. He was the seventh child born to Rosendo and Andreita Casias Marquez. He went home to be with his Creator and Lord Jesus Christ on Saturday July 30, 2016 at his home in Arboles, Colorado, surrounded by his loving family. To family and friends of Rosa, he was known as Vigen, to the Arboles/Ignacio community he was Ed, Eddie or Mr. Ed, but the names Daddy, Grampo, Brother and Tio were the ones he most cherished.
He joined the Army and after basic training was stationed in Japan for almost 3 years. In July of 1958 he married Maria Angelica Quintana in Blanco, New Mexico. From this union seven daughters were born. They made their home in Rosa until they were displaced by the Navajo Dam Project. His father bought a farm a few miles north in Arboles. Since there was already another house on the property, he was given the family home which was one of a handful that was moved out of Rosa. Although he lived in Arboles for 55 years his heart always belonged in Rosa. He loved to tell stories about that little town now buried under water. Anyone that came looking for information about Rosa was directed to Mr. Ed Marquez. His son-in-law Leo found aerial maps of Rosa and many a night he would sit with his magnifying glass telling us who lived in each little dot on the map. He presented a map to the TARA library complete with a frame made from an old barn in Rosa.
Having grown up on a farm he knew the value of hard work and there were not many things he could not do. In his life he worked the oil rigs, was a heavy equipment mechanic for several road construction crews, built houses, cared for the cemetery, and owned a small store that later he converted to a bar. Many a summer Saturday night he would have live music and people would come from Ignacio, Durango and Pagosa to enjoy an evening of fun and friendship. It didn’t hurt that he had those pretty young girls to dance with either! Through all of his paying jobs he still helped his father on the farm. He loved working the land and was very particular about the way things were done. We used to tease him about his ability to make water run up hill to irrigate every inch. Even after his father died, he continued to work the farm for his brother and sisters and later his nieces and nephews.
He enjoyed a good laugh, had a beautiful smile and a mischievous twinkle in his eye when he knew he had gotten to us. Even in his declining health, he could make people laugh with his witty remarks and quick comebacks. He was a man of honor and his word was his bond. He touched so many people’s lives in the community as evidenced by the outpouring of love and prayers we have received. Arboles will not be the same without Ed driving around in his white pick-up truck stopping here and there to check out his little town.
Having all girls never bothered him. He taught each of us how to work by his example. Before we were allowed to get a driver’s license we had to show that we could check and change the oil, fill the radiator, use jumper cables, change a tire and put on chains. He had the patience of a saint and rarely got riled up even when we tested him. He taught us about life, respect, service to others and most importantly, the love of family. The roots of the Marquez family tree run deep and continue to grow with the birth of each new generation.

His legacy includes 7 daughters, 5 son-in-laws, 19 grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren with two on the way. LouJean (Henry Lee) Espinosa, Jose {Liam}, Henry {Angie Grace}, Jessica (Abe) Trujillo {Araya, BenZion, Hadassah, Amaryah, and soon to arrive Abraham} Roman (Misty) Espinosa, {Michael, Tristan, Isabella}, Mercie (Leo) Ulibarri, daughters Diana and Kayla, Eleanor (Chris) Velasquez, Meranda, Christopher, {Jada, Lorenzo, Romeo}, Nathan (Miranda) {Jaxon and new arrival}, Rachel (Travis) VanHerwaarden and Rico Velasquez, Edna (Monty Giles), June and children Marcus Rivas, Naquita Rivas, and Eli Velasquez, Geraldine (Rockey) McPherson, Gabrielle and William, Angelica Lucero and children Lane, Emmanuel, and Sophia
He is also survived by his sisters, Katie (Joe) Martinez and Maima (David) Santistevan, sister in laws Gloria Marquez and Carol (Emilio) Perez, numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Angie, grandson Azariah Jude, son-in-law Manuel Lucero; sisters: Marta, Frances, Cordie (Demis) Candelaria, and Tommie (Tony) Martinez, and brother, Pete Marquez.
Recitation of the Holy Rosary will be on Thursday August 4th at 6:30 pm at St. Peter’s Santa Rosa Catholic Church in Arboles. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday August 5th at 10:00 am also at St. Peter’s. Interment will be at the New Rosa Cemetery. Carpooling is recommended due to limited parking.