When asked to describe my Suegro to others, the one phrase that came to mind was “buena gente”... he was just good people.  A man whom I had the upmost respect for, who in over the 20 years I knew him, I never called him anything other than Mr. Marquez.  

Things I’ll Miss:  
Our conversations about culture, politics & the border (him always asking if my mother still went into Nuevo Laredo);
Our shared affinity for UofH athletics and the Astros;
How he loved to give me grief or rib me about my Spurs or Cowboys (especially when they were down, like any true Houstonian would);
His sharp wit, fantastic smile & infectious laugh;
His storytelling (which was his true gift) - about past adventures from his youth, his family’s struggles or triumphs or his views & beliefs which were always conveyed without ever being overbearing

Lessons I Learned:
How to be a loving husband (certain moments towards the end cemented what I already knew);
How to be a caring parent (teaching lessons of being prepared, using common sense, keeping cash on you, having good tires & being informed about the weather);
How to be a wonderful grandparent (stressing education, being interested in their achievements, engaging each individually & supporting their goals);
How to raise an autistic son (being fortunate enough in sharing this unique bond - he never told me, he just showed me);

From before the time I asked his permission for his daughter’s hand in marriage up until the promise I made to him a few days before his passing,  - I will always remember Mr. Marquez as being a kind, strong and humble man who showed me how to live life, provide for my family and have a solid foundation based on faith. 

I am blessed to have had the oppportunity to have known him during my lifetime and am proud to have been able to call him my father in law.  

I love peepaw. I miss him. We all love you very much peepaw, and we'll never forget you.
I liked to shake your hand.

Peepaw,

I'll never forget whenever we came by from out of town, you'd always greet me with a warm smile, and say "Hey, Benny"! You would show me the atlases and old encyclopedias you had, and tell me about the maps that were inside. You would also give me your old souvenirs and coins that you collected from your travels. And you would tell me stories of what it was like to visit foreign countries. Now you have inspired me to travel around, too. I hope I can travel as much as you did. You were an amazing grandfather, and we are all going to miss you very much. 

With Much Love,
Ben, Your Grandson

Peeps, I will never forget how every time I visited Houston around New Years, you would always remind me of the cold December night I was born. You would always speak of that night with a smile on your face, and it always made me feel very special. Thank you for being a great grandpa to all of your grandkids. Love, Zoe

Our thoughts and prayers are with the Marquez family. May he Rest In Peace in the Lord’s arms.

My wife, Beatrice and I want to extend our deepest condolences to our sister-in-law, Ofelia, and the rest of the family in the passing of my brother John. He was a wonderful brother , a great uncle, and a devoted father to his children.  He  enjoyed football and I took him to see the great Peyton Manning who played for the Colts.  He also went to see my son play high school football and to see him play for Texas A&I  at Kingsville, Texas.  My brother and I shared a passion for WW II history and we talked about about it quite often.
My brother was a man of impeccable character.  Bea and I never heard him raise his voice in anger to anyone. What a tremendous example to leave.
He loved his work and excelled at it.  While on a business trip to Los Angeles, I was checking out of the hotel,  and overheard a conversation where this man was upset because a pump that was needed at a job site in South America hadn’t been delivered yet.  He shouted at the other party, “Did you call John Marquez?  If you had called him, the pump would have been there already! Hang up and call John right away.”     I curiously asked him, “Sir, are you speaking about  John Marquez from Houston, Texas?”  He said , “Yes, that guy is the BEST in the business, why do you ask?!”   I proudly said, “Thank you sir, that man is my brother.”   Rest In Peace John, till we meet again.     D.C & Bea

Please accept our sincere condolences for your loss of a husband, father and grandfather.  May the  many memories you have of Johnny  bring you comfort and peace.  
Ramón and Ninfa Barrera

Although I never spent a lot of time talking to John, I always admired him for many reasons.  He was such a wonderful husband and father.  Truly someone you would want to have as a role model for your children.  Always had a smile ready for you and he was such a positive person.

My husband, Israel, and I chose John and Feli to be godparents to our first daughter, Tracy.   Anytime Tracy would call on them for any help with school or otherwise, she would always be welcomed by them to come over and talk.  That meant so much to us and Tracy.

We will miss his smile and gentle spirit.  May he rest in peace.




My cousin Feli was blessed to have had Johnny for so many years.  God blessed her in having such a wonderful husband.  Whenever we saw Feli and Johnny, they always had a smile on their face.  You could just see the peacefulness between the two.  Johnny was a good example to all of what a father and husband should strive to be.   I believe he accomplished his mission here on this earth very well.  May Johnny now reap the rewards of heaven.

Peepaw,
Thanks for being the best Peepaw a girl could ask for..Thank you for always taking the time to know your grandchildren as people first, and taking such a genuine interest in each of our lives. I love you more than words can express, and I thank you for all you’ve done for us. Whenever school got tough, I could always count on you for words of encouragement and a laugh. You are my favorite, and I’m so proud to be your granddaughter.
See you around,
Lizzy

My uncle and godfather John was a man of integrity, consideration and unconditional love. He lived a life providing diligent determination to accomplish what he needed to for the good of his entire family.  I can honestly not remember a time when he lost his temper or delivered a negative word. If he did, I probably don’t remember because it was warranted. He was a man of peace and care. 

I thank God for having brought John Marquez  into my sister's life and in turn into our lives.  My parents, my brother and I were so impressed with him because he had a college degree.  WOW!!!  A college degree what an accomplishment. 

When he first came to our house, I use to stare at him because he was the first person I had met with a college degree.  He achieved a goal that I also had set for myself.   I looked up to him.  Years later when I was in college and felt overwhelmed, I just remembered the hardships Johnny must have had to endured to reach his goal of a college degree and those memories gave me the strength to keep moving forward.  

My sister and Johnny were married for 55 years.  How lucky she was to have a husband who  always loved, respected, and honored her everyday of their life together.  He was a man with integrity.   I never heard him ever complain or critize  my sister for anything she did.  He supported her in everything because whatever she did, it was always the right thing to do.  In my opinion, that is the way couples show their commitment and love for each other.

When my niece asked her grandfather what is your greatest accomplishment?   Johnny said "Your grandmother."  When Johnny was in Hospice and  my sister asked him where would he like to go, to the hospital or stay at home?  His response was "I want to go where you go."   What a love story.

What a great gift my sister has had to have a husband who loved her so much.  What a great gift to his children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews and to the Diaz family to have had Johnny in their lives always encouraging them to be a better person, help others and do the right thing.  A true blessing from our heavenly father.

How I will miss you Johnny for you were not my brother-in-law, you were my brother. I will love you always and carry your memory in my heart...till we meet again in heaven.

Virgie


Thank you for all of the love, wisdom and support that you have provided both Norma and I. We truly respect all that you have accomplished in your life and are so very proud of you. What you have taught us is truly inspirational and we have both tried to make you proud of our accomplishments and we know that you were. We will continue our lives with the foundation that you and others have provided us. We will miss you everyday. 


thank you for being the best peepaw and coming to see me every day in the hopsital. love you always

Peepaw inspired me to do well in school, and I’ll do something awesome in the world in his memory. My favorite memory of him is a story he told all his grandchildren, in which in revolt of a lesson that portrayed the Mexican-American war unfairly, he jumped out the window. Peepaw was the most hardcore person I’ve ever met. 

Peeps, thank you for being such a great role model for me and for all of us. You have been a great example just by the way you lived your life, and that is something that will forever stick with me. Love you, and thanks for the memories.

My father’s youngest brother, my Uncle John, was always so sweet.  What a legacy he leaves in the beautiful family he and Aunt Ofelia created. When we visited a week before he passed, we were having lunch upstairs when all four of Norma’s children arrived.  They filled the doorway of the bedroom smiling at their grandfather.   He beamed back at them, the pride shining in his eyes.  Beautiful.  May your cherished memories carry you through this difficult time. 

So very few men have the gentleness  of heart and spirit of my Uncle. May God watch over Uncle Johnny, Aunt Ophelia and their beautiful family.

Daddy, Thank you for so many wonderful memories. You were the best father in the world. Love, Sonya

OBITUARY

John Cerda Marquez

January 27, 1937 – July 5, 2018

Forest Park Lawndale Funeral Home & Forest Park Lawndale

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