Matias Quintanilla Obituary (1935 - 2020)

Matias Quintanilla age 85, passed away peacefully, at home, surrounded by family, on Monday July 13th, 2020. He was born in Three Rivers Texas to Eloisa and Matias Quintanilla on May 19, 1935, and then later raised by Juan Lopez. He was the oldest of three children. He grew up and went to school in Raymondville Texas. In 1952, he met the most gorgeous woman he had ever seen Nina Montez, they fell in love and were married on July 3rd 1954, in Bristol, IL. After converting to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints they moved to Cedar City where they raised 4 boys. Mat loved taking his family on trips, going fishing and camping. He loved all ball sports but Baseball was his favorite. He was an exceptional player and coach. He coached little league for 18 years, winning several state titles and taking a team to Nationals. When the Quintanilla family first moved to Cedar, Mat worked in the coal mine on Cedar Mountain, at Lunt’s Motor, then at the Iron Mine, later he was Hired on at UPS where he drove the Triple Trucks until he retired in 1997. He also enjoyed working as a volunteer Firefighter for several years. After he retired his favorite thing to do was travel with his wife Nina, visiting places like Yellowstone, MT. Rushmore, and Niagara Falls, but of course their favorite place to go was Quartzsite, AZ where they would spend their winters going for Jeep rides in the desert, and visiting surrounding cities. Mat taught us by example how important and special family is. He always made time to visit or call his boys, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Mat was preceded in death by his sweetheart and eternal companion Nina, and is survived by sons, Matias (Helen) Quintanilla, Mike (Tiffany) Quintanilla, Mylo (Debbie) Quintanilla, and Mayo (Susan) Quintanilla.; 7 Grandchildren; 21 Great Grandchildren; his Sister Hilda Fowers, and his Brother Juan (Deborah) Lopez. Private Family Services will be held on Thursday July 23, 2020. Arrangements are under the direction of Southern Utah Mortuary. Online condolences can be sent to www.sumortuary.com A special thanks to Mylo and Debbie for going above and beyond to make sure he was comfortable and well cared for until he could be reunited with his beloved wife.