Martin Quijas

La Feria- Martin Quijas, 92, passed away on Wednesday, May 10th, at Alfredo Gonzalez State Veterans Nursing Home in Mission, Texas. Martin was born on January 2nd, 1931, to Raymond Quijas and Maria De la Luz Reta in La Feria, Texas. He grew up in Weslaco and joined the United States Marines when he was only sixteen. After twenty-plus years of service, Martin retired from the military and went to work in retail. He worked as a supervisor for Knott’s Berry Farm  in Southern California for the next twenty years. He then moved back to the Rio Grande Valley, where he spent the rest of his life. 

While living in the Rio Grande Valley, Martin worked for McAllen Police Department for a couple of years and eventually retired from the Hidalgo Sheriff's Department after ten years of service. 

Martin loved to cook for his family and friends. He also enjoyed gardening. 

Martin was a member of the VFW and enjoyed telling jokes and stories with his veteran friends while enjoying a cold drink. 

Martin is preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Ida B. Quijas and son, Gerard “Jerry” Quijas. 

He is survived by his children, Charles Quijas (Sonya), Georgett Q. Klinedinst (Randy), Annett Tello (Mark), Yvonne Quijas, Dora McManigle, and Doris Quijas, grandchildren, Charles and Randi Klinedinst, Jacob Quijas, Marcus Rodriguez, Elena Kamaunu, Austin Wagner, Anthony Swanson, great-grandchildren, Lyla Rose, Liam, and Luna Swanson, and numerous nieces and nephews. 

Visitation will be held on Monday, May 15th, 4-8 pm, with a rosary at 7 pm. Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, May 16th, at 8 am, at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church in Weslaco, followed by burial at Rio Grande Valley State Veterans Cemetery with full military honors.