Louis F. Marquez

Louis F. Marquez, aged 92, peacefully passed away on March 27, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. Born in Brighton, Colorado, to Casiano Marquez and Louise McGrath Marquez, his life was a testament to service, dedication, and profound love for his family.

Louis's journey began in the U.S. Air Force, where he met his beloved wife while stationed at Albrook Air Force Base in the Panama Canal Zone. Their union in 1956 marked the start of a vibrant family life. From Denver, Colorado, to Miami, Florida, and finally settling in San Antonio, Texas, where Louis's career, and family flourished.

In the 1960s, Louis was entrusted with a special project by President Kennedy, leading to a move to Miami. There, he tirelessly interviewed numerous Cuban political exiles, providing invaluable insights amidst a period of significant upheaval in Cuba. Louis's commitment to education was unwavering, and he stressed to each of his children that a good education “opens doors”. Louis led by example in taking night classes to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Spanish from the University of Miami, while also excelling in his professional pursuits.

Upon retiring from the U.S. Air Force in 1971, Louis embarked on a distinguished career as the official court interpreter for the U.S. Courts in the Western District of Texas. Louis's contributions extended beyond his courtroom duties; he played a pivotal role in the development of ethical standards for court interpreters, leaving a lasting legacy in the field. As a multilingual individual, fluent in not only English and Spanish, but Japanese and Portuguese as well, he noticed that far too often, non-English speaking defendants and plaintiffs are dealt an unfair hand due to the language barrier. Louis was invited by Senator John V. Tunney of California, to testify before the senate subcommittee on the Bilingual Courts Act S-1724. At this hearing, he testified as to the need of qualified interpreters for non-English speaking persons, regardless of their national background. This Act gave thousands of people the same constitutional rights that other Americans have enjoyed for decades – the right to a fair trial. The need to raise the standards used for qualifying and certifying court interpreters, as well as a desire to bring professionalism to the field, brought him to develop a portable interpreter’s kit, whereby a person could hear the testimony through a set of earphones. Louis proudly stated that “By working for the U.S. Courts, I feel that I am doing a service to the people, my country, and the ends of justice”.

His dedication to ensuring fair trials for non-English speaking individuals earned him widespread respect and admiration. In June 1973, he wrote the “United States Courts Code of Ethics for Courtroom Interpreters”, that is still in use to this day. With his reputation preceding him, Louis was convinced by Judge Adrian A. Spears, the same judge that first introduced him to the courtroom, to utilize his experience and become a probation and parole officer, a role he ended up fulfilling until his retirement in 1994.

Louis's devotion to his community extended to his church, St. Matthew’s Catholic Church in San Antonio, where he served faithfully for 42 years. Both he and his beloved wife, Gloria, were members of the Guadalapanos Society, a group dedicated to building and spreading devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe. His passion for narrating the play of the Apparition of Our Virgen de Guadalupe, which he did from 2004 to 2022, showcased his deep spiritual connection and commitment to tradition.

In addition to his professional achievements, Louis cherished moments spent with his family, traveling to Mexico, Colorado, and New Mexico, nurturing his yard, and indulging in his love for Science Fiction and educational television programs such as those found on the History and Discovery channels.

Louis is survived by his loving wife of almost 68 beautiful years, Gloria, and their beloved children, Gloria (Hector), Suzette, David (Melissa), Patricia (Gordon), and Ana Maria (Christopher); 13 grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren.

Louis’s spirit will continue to shine brightly through the memories he created and all the lives that he touched. May he rest in peace, knowing that his legacy of love and service will endure for generations to come.

The family will receive friends for visitation on Tuesday, April 16, 2024 at Porter Loring Mortuary downtown on McCullough Avenue, beginning at 6:00 p.m.

ROSARYTUESDAY, APRIL 16, 20247:00 PMPORTER LORING MORTUARY MCCULLOUGH1101 MCCULLOUGH AVE., SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS 78212

FUNERAL MASSWEDNESDAY APRIL 17, 20249:45 AMST. MATTHEW CATHOLIC CHURCH10703 WURZBACH RD., SAN ANTONIO, TX 78230

Interment with full military honors will follow in Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, secure.pancan.org.