Manuel Montijo Urquidez

Manuel Urquides was a caring father, grandfather, brother and friend. After a long and courageous battle with cancer, he left us suddenly Feb. 15, 2021. He was 73.
Manuel was a lifelong Eloy resident, delivered by a midwife to Rita and Juan Urquides on Aug. 17, 1947. He was a hard worker and held a series of jobs throughout his life, from working at the Dairy, in the fields and at the mine to managing a Circle K, working at the school and finally retiring as a state corrections officer in Florence.
His was a life with purpose.
Sometimes that purpose was teaching his children – and later his grandchildren – to be tough as nails by throwing baseballs at them when they were scared of the ball.
Often that purpose was helping others. Money, food, possessions. These were always things to be shared with friends and strangers.
Most recently it was showing his family what it means to be courageous and strong as he defied the odds by staying with us six years after a doctor gave him six months.
In his early years, he loved coaching, playing pool and cruising the streets of Eloy with his friends. He was a great father, and liked to show his love by giving, whether it was countless quarters for the video games at Peter Piper, elaborate birthday gifts, or all the rides you wanted at the State Fair.
In his later years, he loved doting on his grandchildren, sharing his life lessons with them, and making sure they trusted God. He also enjoyed Western movies, talking religion with his brother and friends, reading his worn church books and visiting with the people from church who brought him Sunday communion until the pandemic struck.
If he were still here, he would want you to help others, warn you about buying things from TV, and tell you to go to the doctor when you should.
He will be terribly missed.
There are many people to thank, especially Ella Lorraine Vidal and her family, and his granddaughter Uarshla Chavez and her family, for taking such good care of him during these last years. His brother David’s visits also helped keep him going. Thanks also to Angel Care and his home health aide, Anna Tarango, and to the Eloy Fire Department, who helped keep him out of the hospital too many times to count and got him there quickly when needed.
He is preceded in death by his siblings Juana Gonzalez and Francisco Urquides; and his parents Juan and Rita. His is survived by his children (George and Heather); seven grandchildren (Uarshla, Anthony, Manuel, Georgie, Juan, Jennifer and Isabella); 10 great-grandchildren; and his siblings (David and Mary Helen Blanco).