Obituary- Ernest D. Quintana

Ernest D. Quintana 7-21-1930 ~ 6-7-2014 Ernest D. Quintana, 83, passed away on June 7, 2014 in Pueblo. Born in North Veta on July 21, 1930, Ernest completed the Special Railroad Telegraphy Course (Morse Code) from Midwest Business College in 1949 and was hired on as a telegrapher for the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad. Ernest served four years in the United States Air Force during the Korean War, being honorably discharged as a staff sergeant in 1954. During his time in the Armed Services, he participated in Operation Ivy in the fall of 1952 and Operatoion Castle in the winter of 1954 which were Atomic Tests at Eniwektok Proving Ground, Marshall Islands. He loved his time in the service and loved serving his country. Upon being discharged, Ernest returned to work as a telegrapher and worked in various yard offices and depot agencies including Walsenburg, Littleton, Denver, Pueblo, Canon City, Portland, and Antonito. He retired from the D&RGW railroad with 42 years as a telegraph operator. Ernest is survived by his wife, Lydia, and his children, Nathan and Penny Ann. He was preceded in death by his parents, Jeronimo and Juanita Quintana; his brothers, Fred, Fermin, Chris and Melton Quintana; and sister, Rita Quintana. He is also survived by his sisters, Clara Pineda and Delphine Garcia; sisters-in-law, Dora Quintana of La Veta and Elsie Quintana of Pueblo as well as by numerous nephews, nieces, and extended family and friends. A visitation was held on June 12th at St. Mary Church in Walsenburg followed by a beautiful Funeral Mass at with Father Joseph Ejimofor officiating. Interment took place at Sand Arroya Cemetery, near Navajo Ranch west of Walsenburg. Arrangements were entrusted to the loving care of the Johnson-Romero Family Funeral Home of Walsenburg.