Delfin O. Quintana

Delfin O. Quintana was born April 2, 1929 in Cebolla, NM to Luis Quintana and Dulcinea Valdez Quintana.\r\n \r\nHe is survived by his wife Frances from Los Ojos, NM, his children Edna Cova (Guillermo), Delfin D. Quintana (Pancha), Jasmine E. Quintana, and sister Rosina Martinez. His grandchildren are Daniel Cova (Marissa Riquetti Cova), Andrea Cova, Lauren Quintana, Angelica Quintana, Gabriel Quintana, Christian Quintana, James Quintana and great-granddaughter Jaydalynne Griego. \r\n \r\nIn 1946 he enlisted in the U S Air Force and served for over six years. He participated in the Army Occupation of Japan and the Korean War. His responsibilities in Japan were to provide communications throughout the Pacific where the Air Force had installations. \r\n \r\nAfter returning from the military, he attended Highlands University in Las Vegas, NM. In 1956 he earned a BA in Elementary and Secondary Education with a minor in Industrial Arts. He met his wife Frances at the Superintendent’s office in Tierra Amarilla when she typed his first teaching contract to teach in the newly completed school in Dulce, NM. In 1965 he received a Master’s Degree in School Administration and Political Science. \r\n \r\nAfter beginning his teaching career in Dulce, he moved to Cebolla, NM where he taught for several years. He then served as Principal of Tierra Amarilla HS, Coronado HS, Escalante HS and Mesa Vista HS. He also served as Superintendent for the Chama Valley School District.\r\n \r\nHe built his own home in Cebolla, NM where he lived his entire life. In addition to a long and distinguished career in education, with the help of his family, he also successfully managed his ranch in Cebolla and Los Ojos. Through the years, he was deeply involved in community service programs such as Head Start, the Cebolla Water Association, and as an Acequia Commissioner. In 1966 he was honored as an outstanding Tree Farmer by the US Forest Service. In 1981 he was honored again as a State Wide Outstanding Tree Farmer of the Year.\r\n \r\nA number of former students have recalled Mr. Quintana’s efforts to ensure that they received the best possible education and he went the ‘extra mile’ to help his students succeed. Public visitation will begin on Wednesday, April 15, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. in the Sangre de Cristo Chapel of DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory, with a rosary to be recited on Wednesday, April 15, 2015 1:30 p.m. at St John the Baptist Catholic Church in Okay Owingeh/San Juan Pueblo, with a Catholic Funeral Mass to follow at 2:00 p.m. Burial will be held on Thursday, April 16, 2015 at 9:00 a.m. at The Santa Fe National Cemetery. The following will serve as pallbearers: Daniel Cova, Gabriel Quintana, Leroy Martinez, Robert Martinez, Herman Martinez, and Felix Valdez. Honorary Pallbearers: Lucas Cordova, Benji Leyba, Joe P. Abeyta, Lorenzo Romero, Clyde Romero, Patrick Silva, Charlie Chacon, and Chris Quintana. Delfin O. Quintana has entrusted the care of their loved one to the DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory of the Espanola Valley.

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