Steve Matthew Quintana Jr.

Steve Quintana

Steve Quintana was born on October 1, 1998, to Steve and April Quintana. He attended Santa Fe High School, where he was a proud football letterman, and graduated in 2017.

Steve was preceded in death by his grandpa Gonzalo Quintana, Uncle Stanley Vigil, Uncle Timmy Benavidez, and his cousins Justin Larsen, Ronald Herrera and Stanley Vigil Jr., JP Fernandez and good friend Daniel Trujillo. He is survived by his parents, Steve and April; his sisters, Angel (Fernando) and Kyla (Arthur, Kamila, Amos); his grandpa Orlando Vigil; grandmothers Thelma Benavidez and Jane Quintana; padrinos Arlene and Melvin (Jackie, James, Jude); and his Aunt’s Amanda, Fran, Glenda and Lisa and Uncle Gordon (Virginia), and all his dogs.

Those who knew him knew exactly what he was all about — loyal, full of heart, and unforgettable in his own way.

Per his wishes, there will be no services.

Below are messages from his family:

From Dad: Son your fight is over, and I will meet you on the other side.

From Mom: Son, thank you for all the things you taught me. I will never know anyone else as strong and courageous, as you. Until we meet again.

From Angel: Brother, thank you for being my best friend and for showing me how to be strong. You are truly my hero, love you forever.

From Amanda: Steve lived and laughed with his whole heart. He was an incredible son, brother, nephew, cousin, and godson. Thank you, Stev, for being my “quate”—my truest friend—and for being the same to my boy. You helped me be a better mom and filled our lives with so much laughter. Thank you for your strength, for facing life head-on, and for showing us what real courage looks like. There are too many memories to list, but I will carry them always. I will miss you every day. You were taken far too soon, but you will never be forgotten.

From Grandma Thelma: My love for my grandson Steve remains unconditional, forever. He will be loved and missed.

From Kyla: My little big brother got to be a great uncle to my kids, a wonderful son to his parents, helpful grandson, guiding brother, intelligent nephew, and one of the greatest people on this earth. Now, he is a soldier of God's, fighting for us with his swords at his side. We all love and miss him greatly and dearly. May he rest in peace and suffer no more.

From Fran: To most of us, he was Stev, though as a little boy he answered to Buba. He carried that nickname only until about four years old—quickly outgrowing it just as he soon outgrew the rest of his family, reaching 6'2". But even that couldn’t match the size of his personality. Anyone who crossed paths with Steve felt his presence; he had a way of leaving a mark on every heart he touched. His intelligence was deep, his humor unforgettable, and his spirit unmistakably bright. He was truly loved, and his absence will be felt deeply by all who knew him.