Armando C. Quintanilla

Armando C. Quintanilla, age 79, passed away on Wednesday, June 18, 2008. He was born on September 13, 1928 in San Antonio, Texas to Mr. and Mrs. Antonio and Manuela Quintanilla. He is preceded in death by his brother, Antonio Tony Quintanilla.

Armando married Herlinda Melendes on October 11, 1952 and shared almost 56 years together. They had three children: Rebecca Cedillo, David Quintanilla and Loretta Vandezande.

Everyone knew him as "Mr. Q"~ he had a kind heart and was a generous and loving person who exhibited a positive side of life.

He would awaken at the start of each day in prayer, full of life with a smile on his face and a cheery good morning.

During his life, Armando accomplished many things. At the age of 16, he began his employment a Kelly AFB. At 17, he enlisted in the US Army Air Corps. In 1946, he returned to Kelly. He resumed his military service from May 1950 to September 1952 during the Korean War.

At the end of his military service, he proudly received an honorable discharge.

After settling back in San Antonio, Armando set his mind to work for the Air Force as a civilian at Kelly Air Force Base.

After 47 years of service, he retired as Director of Maintenance and Civilian Personnel.

Armando was deeply involved in civic and humanitarian activities. He was a member of many civic and social causes related to civil rights, the environment and education as well as serving on committees of interest on behalf of San Antonio.

One of the highlights of his life was traveling to Baja, California with his grandsons and catching a 280 pound Pacific Blue Marlin in the Sea of Cortez. He greatly enjoyed fishing with his son, grandsons and friends.

He and Herlinda always found time to slip away on a cruise, travel to Canada, Las Vegas or to the Coast.

He enjoyed doing voluntary community work by helping lighten someone's load or filling one's hearts with hope.

Most recently, he served as a member of the Kelly Restoration and Advisory Board and assisted UTSA as a researcher in the documentation of the history of Kelly Air Force Base.

Armando was deeply loved and will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

Armando is survived by his beloved wife, Herlinda; their three children; four grandchildren: Carlos, Miguel and Daniel Cedillo and Olivia Vandezande; his sister, Olivia Ramos and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family extends their deepest gratitude to the physicians who cared for him: Drs. Pho, Saad, Kohl, Treuhaft and Natalino, the Emergency and MICU staff at Northeast Baptist Hospital for the kindness and excellent care he received.

The family will visit with friends on Sunday, June 22nd from 5:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. at Porter Loring on McCullough with a Rosary at 7:00 P.M. in the Chapel.