LEO, LIEUTENANT GENERAL, USAF, RET. At age 79, Leo Marquez died peacefully surrounded by his family on Friday, December 30, 2011. He is survived by his wife, the former Stella Alvarez of Las Cruces NM, and their children, Diana Marquez, David Marquez, Paula Hewitt and her daughter, Alisa; Patricia and Allan Knighten and their daughter, Adrienne; Phil and Susan Marquez and their children, Marisa, Brittanae Brown and Michael Birner, siblings Ruben and Pedie Marquez, Jim and Helen Marquez, Mary Ann Greiner and sister-in-law, Esther Marquez and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, Santiago and Emma Marquez; his brother, Ben Marquez and sister, Carmen Baca. He was born on January 27, 1932 in Peralta, NM and grew up in the farming village of Tome, NM. Leo graduated from New Mexico State University's Air Force ROTC program with a Bachelor of Science degree in Zoology. He also earned a Master of Science degree in Business Administration from George Washington University. He was a distinguished graduate of the Air Command and Staff College and the National Defense College and received a Master of Business Administration degree from the Advanced Management Program for Executives, Carnegie-Mellon University. He was named a distinguished alumnus and received an Honorary Doctor of Letters from his alma mater, New Mexico State University. He proudly served his country for 33 years as a US Air Force officer before retiring as a Lieutenant General. His many decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of Merit with one oak leaf cluster, Bronze Star with V for valor for combat in the Republic of Vietnam, Meritorious Service medal and Air Force Commendation medal with one oak leaf cluster. His last assignment was as Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics and Engineering, Headquarters US Air Force, Pentagon. He was a pilot with over 2000 hours in single engine jet fighters. His many noteworthy achievements include the approval and implementation of the Air Force Combat Ammunitions Center known as "Ammo U" and the maintenance badge that all Air Force maintainers now wear so proudly just above the heart. The Lt. Gen. Leo Marquez Award of Maintenance Excellence was named and is earned by civilian and military Air Force maintenance personnel in recognition of superior service. Since retirement from the Air Force, he was an executive in several engineering and aerospace companies and served the state of New Mexico on the Kirtland Partnership Committee, New Mexico Military Base Planning Commission and as a regent of both New Mexico Tech University and the New Mexico Museum Board. Those who knew him cherished his great sense of humor, his pride in his family, his love of reading, current events and the arts, his professional knowledge, and interest in junior officers and enlisted personnel. Memorial contributions are welcomed at the Logistics Officers Association Scholarship Fund (www.loanational.org) and The Ranches (www.theranches.org ).The family would like to thank their many friends, including those from the Kirtland Partnership Committee, Team Kirtland and the Air Force community, for their loyalty, love and support during this time. Arrangements are being handled by French's Mortuary. Funeral mass will be celebrated Thursday, January 5, 2012 at 10:00 am at Prince of Peace Catholic Church. The private interment will take place at Santa Fe National Cemetery. Please visit our online guestbook for Leo at RememberTheirStory.com FRENCH 10500 Lomas Blvd. NE (505) 275-3500.
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