Tomas Antonio Quijada

Thomas “Tommy” Quijada, loving husband and brother, caring father, and doting Tata, passed away peacefully on November 8, 2024 in Phoenix, Arizona. Survived by his wife Carol Quijada, sister Isabel “Tica” Quijada, children Sonya Quijada, Andrea Quijada (Amber Royster), Tomás Quijada (Jamie Steinfeld), and Eva Quijada Becker (Sean Becker), grandchildren Leslie, Gavin, Lavi, and Alyssa, and many cousins and friends. Tom was born in Douglas, Arizona to Lavinia and Tomás Quijada on October 8, 1939 and graduated from Douglas High School in 1958 (go Bulldogs). He was a proud graduate of the University of Arizona (Bear Down) and followed U of A sports closely. Tom began working for the State of Arizona in 1967 as an employment interviewer with the Employment Service in Globe, Arizona, and was soon promoted to Tucson, and then again to Phoenix. He became a Personnel Analyst with Employment Service where he later transferred to State Personnel as a Personnel Manager. After 34 years, he retired in 2001 as the Personnel Manager for the Department of Economic Security, the largest agency in the State of Arizona. In 1975 Tom became a member of the Phoenix downtown YMCA where he swam a mile in the pool every morning before going to work, and in his later years he participated in both the Tai Chi and Silver Sneakers classes. Tom appreciated the outdoors and enjoyed fishing, camping, and hiking—he even climbed Mt. Whitney several times. He made many friends at the “Y” and everywhere he went—from grocery stores to coffee shops to his neighborhood walks. Tom was known for his booming gravelly voice, big heart, captivating storytelling, and a teasing sense of humor. He would laugh at himself as much as he enjoyed laughing with others and he was the life of every party. His humor and storytelling often masked little nuggets of observation and wisdom. He loved cooking as much as he loved eating, and mariachi, trios, jazz, blues, opera, and classical guitar music regularly filled his home. Laughter, conversation, and people who were always treated as family were part of his every day. Tom was a lifelong learner and loved to talk politics or discuss something he recently read or watched. His legacy is his children and the friendships he created. Tom profoundly accepted people without judgment and he will be remembered for his genuine, effortless love for others. A Celebration of Life is planned for early 2025 in Tucson.