Jose Eduvigen Marquez was born on April 23, 1936, in Rosa, Rio Arriba County, N.M. 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, at his home in Arboles, Colo., 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 three years. In July of 1958, he married Maria Angelica Quintana in Blanco, N.M. 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 uphill 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 pickup 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 seven daughters, five sons-in-law, 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; sisters-in-law Gloria Marquez and Carol (Emilio) Perez; and 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, Aug. 4, at 6:30 p.m. at St. Peter’s Santa Rosa Catholic Church in Arboles. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, Aug. 5, at 10 a.m., also at St. Peter’s. Interment will be at the New Rosa Cemetery. Carpooling is recommended due to limited parking.
