Tomas "Tom" Quintanilla
Tomas "Tom" Quintanilla Sr., a longtime resident of Moses Lake passed away at the age of 74, Monday, January 13, 2014, of complication of ALS, Lou Gehrig's disease in Tijuana, Baja, Mexico, with his wife, Maria and extended family by his side. Funeral services were held in Tijuana on January 15, 2014. Tom was born in Hargill, Texas on July 22, 1939 to Margarito Z. Quintanilla and Carolina L. Quintanilla. He attended school in Weslaco, Texas, Saticoy and Corcoran, California and Washington. In his younger years he traveled with his parents, who were migrant workers, to Michigan, Texas, Arizona, California and Washington following the crop harvest. In 1956 his parents finally settled in Sunnyside, Washington where they worked for various farmers in the Yakima valley area. They were able to earn enough money to buy a small farm and trucks to haul agriculture commodities. While living there Tom quit going to school at the age of 16 to help supplement his parent's income and help support the family. He worked for various farmers and drove truck for his father.
In 1962 he was drafted and served 2 years in the US army in Korea as an artillery gunner. He re-enlisted in the US army and served in the US and Germany as a Paramedic. He was honorably discharged in 1974.
After leaving his military service he moved to Moses Lake to be with his family. He then went back to school at BBC College to get his GED and also took college courses.
He worked at the Carnation food processing plant, G & O Trucking Company and Basic American Foods Company before retiring in 2005.
While living in Sunnyside, he married Soila B. Reyna in May of 1965. From this union, they had a son and named him Tomas R. Quintanilla Jr.
Tomas and Soila later separated and divorced in 1994. He then later married Maria Sanchez in 2003 and made their home in Moses Lake, WA.
He leaves behind many that loved him dearly including his son Tom Jr., three grandchildren: Aida (Carlos) Bravo, Tom III and Antoinette. Five great grandchildren: Cassandra, Rocky Bravo; Isabella, Icella and Idalis Quintanilla.
Three brothers Noe (Gloria) Quintanilla, Abel (Josie) Quintanilla, Adam (Brenda) Quintanilla, Two sisters Eva (George) Ellsworth, and Eloise (Joe Fickle) Davis, all of Moses Lake, WA., numerous nephews, nieces and cousins.
His wife Maria Sanchez Quintanilla and extended family, step children, Arcelio Vargas, Emilio Vargas, Elfiga (George) Ellsworth, and Delfina Vargas and 16 step-grandchildren and 3 step-great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his father, Margarito Z. Quintanilla; mother, Carolina L. Quintanilla; brother, Juan (Johnny) Quintanilla; sister, Viola Q. Reyna, brother-in-law Robert B. Reyna, sister-in-law Joyce Quintanilla and nephew Jesse Gonzales.
Tom lived a long productive life helping support his siblings at a very young age and even though he was busy working to support his family he would find time to help others when needed with their home projects. He was loved by his friends and family and will be greatly missed.
Blessed are those that believeth in me for they shall have everlasting life sayeth the lord.
God bless you and may you rest in peace. Asta la vista Hermano, until we see eachother again.
A celebration of his life will be held later in the year in Moses Lake, WA.