Chris A. Marquez

Chris “Funky” Marquez, 25 of Santa Rosa, NM died Thursday, January 6, 2005 in a work related accident on I-40 east of Tucumcari, NM. Chris was born May 4, 1979 in Albuquerque, NM the son of Louie and Susan Marquez. He was reared from age 6 in Puerto De Luna, and attended Santa Rosa Public Schools. Chris excelled in track and football and participated in the 1993 and 1996 State football championship and was a part of the Santa Rosa Lions 1995 State Runner Up team for Class AA State Football. Chris was also an outstanding academic student and a member of the National Honor Society. Following graduation in 1997 he attended Luna Vocational Technical School where he received his Associate Degree in Horticulture. He worked for his grandfather, Mauricio Paiz for a short time in Santa Rosa until he began his employment with San-Bar Construction in March 2000. He was part of a highway stripe painting crew and traveled throughout the state. Chris was a member of Nuestra Senora de Refugio Catholic Church in Puerto De Luna. According to his parents he loved landscaping and working in the yard at his home. He was a great kid, very responsible and was always ready to help anyone. Chris was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather Joe Montano. Survivors include his parents Louie and Susan Marquez of the family home in Puerto de Luna, NM; two brothers Ernesto “Neto” Marquez, Jose Luis Marquez both of the family home; one sister Mary Frances Marquez of Santa Rosa; a niece Anastacia Romero of Santa Rosa. Paternal Grandmother Petra Montano of Santa Rosa; Paternal grandmother Mary Marquez of Santa Rosa; Paternal Grandfather Benny Marquez of Greenfield, Ohio; Maternal grandparents Mauricio and Frances Paiz of Sierra Vista, Arizona. Also surviving are numerous uncles, aunts, and cousins including his Godparents, uncle John Montano, aunt Betteena Pizano, and uncle John Paiz. He is also survived by many other classmates, co-workers and good friends. Rosary services will be held at 7:00 P.M. Monday, January 10, 2005 from St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Santa Rosa; Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, January 11, 2005 from Nuestra Senora de Refugio Catholic Church in Puerto De Luna, NM with Father Bill Sanchez officiating. Burial will follow at Nuestra Senora de Refugio Cemetery in Puerto De Luna. Pallbearers will include David “Hoss” Sanchez, Mark Chavez, John Montano, Jimmy Sanchez, John Paiz, Penny Pruitt, Coach Frank Ortiz, and George Dodge. Honorary bearers will include Drew Quintana, Andres Nieto, Gibby Romero, Joe Chacon, Mario Madrid, Mark Montano, Martin Montano, Gary Pacheco, Gene Chacon, Josh Cave, Dave Chavez, Justin Tapia, Leo Lucero, Phillip Flores, Jon Debord, Mike Andrews, Gene Chavez, Paul Chavez, Gabriel Romero, his co-workers Porfirio Mancha, Daryl Gold, Lee Harrison, David Tapia, Tommy Tapia, and Santa Rosa High School Lion Football teammates. Visitation will be Sunday and Monday from 1pm to 6pm at the Chavez Funeral Home, 923 South Third Street; Santa Rosa, New Mexico. (505) 472-3369. For online condolences, please go to www.chavezfuneralhome.com