Beloved father, tata, brother, great-grandfather, and former Douglas, Arizona City Councilman, Rudy "Popo" Quinonez, 83, of Douglas, Arizona left us to be with the Lord and to join his beloved wife Julia in heaven, on Sunday afternoon, January 15, 2017. Our dad peacefully passed away in his home after a courageous battle with cancer. His children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and brother were with him when his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ called him home.
Popo was born May 28, 1933 in Fabens, Texas, the son of the late Rudolfo and Fecliciana Valerio Quinonez. He moved to Douglas, as a 5 year old in 1939 and attended the Douglas public schools where he was an avid sportsman participating in baseball, football, basketball, track and field, and wrestling. He was a star pitcher for the Douglas and Pirtleville baseball teams.
In July of 1951, he joined the United States Air Force where he proudly served for four years. During his service in the military he boxed for the Air Force where he earned his fighting stage name, "Peppery Little Rudy Quinonez". He claimed the Lightweight Champion Title by knocking out the defending Golden Gloves Champion in the second round.
After serving in the Air Force, Rudy returned to Douglas and met the love of his life, Julia Arvayo. They were married on October 4, 1958 and married for 54 years. Julia and Popo made their home on East 19th Street in Douglas, where they lived and raised their family until they departed this life. Rudy was an employee of Southwest Gas Company and for Arizona Public Service. While an employee of Southwest Gas he received one of the company's highest honors for his hard work, dedication, and community service. Besides being a highly dedicated employee of APS and Southwest Gas, he also cared for the people in the community. Many times, he found ways to help families pay for their utilities. Also, during this time, Rudy continued to box, but this time for charity for the Crippled Children's Society.
Making the youth of the community was one of Popo's priority by keeping them off the streets and involved in sports and other organized community activities. He was the Termite Baseball League Director/Coordinator from the early 1960s to the mid-1990s. He also enjoyed coaching the youth of Douglas and announcing the games. Besides directing the Termite Baseball League, Popo started the formal soccer program in Douglas and served as the Regional Commissioner of the American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO) in Douglas for over ten years. He also helped coordinate Easter Egg Hunts, the Fiestas Patrias, 4th of July Fiestas, as well as other city wide events and fund raisers. He was also a member of several local clubs such as the Bushmasters, VFW, American Legion, and the Knights of Columbus where he enjoyed helping out as these groups raised funds for many worthy causes. In 1982, Rudy was honored by the Douglas Chamber of Commerce as the 1982 Citizen of the Year.
Rudy loved the city of Douglas and the people in this community. He served 22 years as a member of the Douglas City Council as a Ward 6 Councilman and as Vice Mayor. His service as a City Council member began in 1988 and continued until shortly after the passing of his beloved wife in 2013. During his 22 years as a council member, Rudy was involved in the implementation of numerous city projects and improvements that were to benefit the entire community. During his last council meeting, he said, "During the past 22 years that I have had the privilege of serving Douglas on the city council, I am most proud of the many projects that I was a part of bringing to completion. I do not take full credit for these projects, but I am proud of the role that I did play as part of the team that made Douglas an even better place to live". Rudy was honored and humbled to serve the people of Douglas.
We are proud of our father's accomplishments and dedicated service to the youth and community of Douglas, but the man we will miss and love the most, is the one we call "Dad". Dad was the guiding force, best friend, buddy, life of the party, mentor, caring role model, and protector of six children, 15 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. When he wasn't putting his time and efforts towards the community, he loved spending his time with his family from birthday parties, graduations, cook-outs, to attending his children's, grandchildren's, and great-grandchildren's sports events and school functions, to just hanging out with his family at their homes or in his backyard barbecuing and warming up around the fire pit. He also loved watching baseball, football, or wrestling. He was a huge Washington Redskins fan and loved wrestling. Dad loved the outdoors. He loved to camp and really loved fishing. He leaves us with many loving memories of his sense of humor, contagious laugh, his strength, caring, and guidance, and of all the wonderful times we shared together.
Our dad, Rudy "Popo" Quinonez, was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 54 years, Julia Arvayo Quinonez, his brother Mario Quinonez, and sisters Ramona Quinonez and Violet Quinonez. Rudy is survived by his daughter, Patricia (Ruben) Rodriguez; five sons: Rudy (Yvonne) Quiñonez, Johnny Quiñonez, Fernando (Gemma) Quiñonez, Albert (Rosanna) Quiñonez and Bernie (Christy) Quiñonez; brothers Pedro (Magdalena) Quinonez and Fernando Rodriguez; and sisters Thelma Quinonez, Olga Quinonez, Nora Quinonez, and Pearl Quinonez.
A Holy Rosary officiated by Deacon Armando Moulinet was held at 12:30 p.m. on Friday, January 20, 2017 at St. Luke's Catholic Church in Douglas. A Mass of the Resurrection celebrated by Father Gilbert Malu was offered at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, January 20, 2017 also at St. Luke's Catholic Church. Following the Mass, our beloved father's body was laid to rest at Calvary Cemetery with Military Honors by the U.S. Air Force Honor Guard, the American Legion and VFW.
Pallbearers were Gabriel Rodriguez, Paul Rodriguez, Albert (A.J.) Quinonez, Rudy F. (Tuner) Quinonez, Vincent (Chente) Quinonez, Joseph Quinonez, and Donnie Nalley. Honorary pallbearers are Diego Quinonez and Andreas (Dre) Quinonez.
The family wishes to thank each and every family member, dear friends, and the community of Douglas for all your support and love you extended to our Dad and Tata during his illnesses and passing. The family also wishes to thank Brown Page Mortuary for their help during our time of need.
Rudy lived a full life of service and love to his family, friends, and community and was always willing to lend a helping hand to anyone in need. He had a special place in his heart for the youth. If you would like to join our dad and us in finding cures and saving children by helping to end childhood cancer, please make a donation in honor of our father, Rudy "Popo" Quinonez, to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital at https://www.stjude.org/ or https://www.stjude.org/give/memorials-and-dedications.html?sc_icid=wtg-mm-memorials-dedications.