I added a Rascal Flatts song and pray you are listening. 
All my love bro,
Deb

Hi Everyone,

Dear Bro,

I'm hoping this website becomes your legacy.  It will give everyone a place to visit and remember you, especially poor Lisa.  She isn't ready to let you fly to heaven.  

You didn't get a chance to say your favorite memories to anyone so I'm sharing mine.  I hope and pray the family will post to the website.  I was going to keep the website private, but upon reflection, I'm opening it up to everyone.  I'm hoping your friends reach out so I can add them and anyone else who wants to share about you.

All postings should be respectful, polite, PG-rated, and memories of Joe.  I wish I didn't have to say this.  I got accepted into the Marquez tree and will share this link with our family.  You should be proud of me.

Uncle Joe was my favorite uncle.  He was the only one who really treated me well and made me feel like a real nephew should.  I never had that feeling growing up with others.  He would take us to basketball games and to Elitch Gardens yearly and we always counted on that.  They were a great time as that's when his playful nature would come out and he'd start screaming or laughing hysterically in his booming voice that would make you jump as a teenager.  He cared about Erick and my life as a teenager, when most family wouldn't ask that deeply about us.  As a teenager, we would just shrug him off and eye roll when he'd do something embarrassing, and then he would quickly adapt to try to be cool.  He was a cool uncle. 

He was always listening and watching trying to relate to us growing up in his own goofy and 90's way.  I forever miss those precious times.  He helped me at my sentencing hearing ready to react to the court, a scary task about who his nephew truly was.  He provided me with practical and calming input about how I can make a positive difference on the inside as I am doing now.  He tried very hard to connect to Erick and me, as the family was a passion of his.  Erick and I have a favorite story about the time he went bar hopping in Laramie at my college graduation.  He had to ask permission from my mom to go out.  He had a blast going out with the young guys making a very memorable morning after graduation.  

I love and miss him.

David was born in Lone Tree, Colorado in May 2006.  Joseph "Tyler" was born in Lone Tree Colorado in July 2009.  Justin (Bubba) was born in Glenwood Springs Colorado on March 23, 1999.  Paula and Randy called Justin by his nickname when he arrived to see you at the hospital.  It fits; I love his nickname.

Our son was born on March 23, 1999, Justin Lars Marquez.  He was born in Glenwood Springs, Colorado at Valley View Hospital. 

Your dad is watching over you.  He is now with you every day in your heart and in heaven.

Justin when you were born I raced up the mountains to Rifle to see you.  You were so quiet and we thought you were a good baby. Then I realized something was wrong.  I stuck your foot in my ice water and you didn't cry.  Joe and Paula raced you to Glenwood Hospital.  You got a Flight for Life helicopter ride and Joe began his race to find a cure for you.  You had argininosuccinic aciduria.  Joe worked with the doctors at Baylor in Texas to get you a liver transplant so you had the correct enzyme to complete the Kreb's cycle and keep your acid levels low.  I can't believe you are now 23!

Joe and Michelle were married in Kihei, Hawaii on March 22, 2005.  They are parents of David and Tyler Marquez and were married for 15 years.  

Joe and I met when he was only 19 years old and I was 21.  We were set up on a blind date through a mutual friend.  Our first date was dinner and a movie.  We went to Round the Corner a hamburger joint at South West Plaza mall; it no longer exists.  We saw the movie, "Pretty Woman."  We were married on September 25, 1993, on the top of Lookout Mountain in Golden, Colorado.  Our son was born on March 23, 1999, Justin Lars Marquez.  He was born in Glenwood Springs, Colorado at Valley View hospital.  Joe and I divorced in May of 2003.

You always wanted everyone to be happy, love each other, kiss each other and be with each other.  In our family that became very difficult.  It tore you up.  You reached out so many times and forgave so many times.  It broke your heart.  You are now breaking mine.....

We used to go shopping for your clothes for prom and homecoming.  Mom would give us her credit card with a limit and we would get you looking handsome for the girls.  I also ordered their corsages; wristlets were all the rage.  You cared less about what they looked like but always got me the color so they matched the pretty dresses.

I mostly remember the house in Littleton.  We practically lived at the pool across the street.  We both graduated from Columbine HS.

You would be happy to know that I got to visit with the family on June 26, 2022.  The hospital didn't open the link for your prayer vigil at 2 pm, but it was opened at 3 pm.  They had an emergency. 

Attendees for the 2 pm link:  Louise, Chuck, Kay, Erick, Deborah, and Chris.  We talked about you.  We closed with Sacred Heart of Jesus Prayer for Healing.  I shared how Larry and Barbara (mom and dad) would visit Mother Cabrini's shrine in Colorado praying for you to be born.  At 3 pm Diane Creek joined in the link and the hospital finally had it open.  It was my first chance to see you via video because Brad had COVID.  I had to wait to be cleared by the hospital to visit.  Lisa was also present.  Diane is part of a parish group and can maybe lead us on a shortened rosary for you.  You have a rosary hanging in your bedroom wall.  Unfortunately, this didn't get to happen, but I think you are having masses said in your name.

You were the only one to ever truly understand my crazy since of humor.  This reminds me of Jimmy Fallen's thank you notes.  

You are the only man who can have two ex-wives and a current fiance all praying over you at the hospital and in tears!  I guess that shows how wonderful you are.

I'm struggling with letting you go, but so is everyone else.  I'm flooded with kind thoughts and viewpoints.  I can't do the death watch very well.  You are far harder than letting mom and dad go.  They weren't in the middle of life, but I guess my time is drawing near too.

You were the only boy in a sea of girl cousins on mom's side.  Did we treat you well?

You got your own room because you were a boy.  I got sent to the basement or had to share.  I picked the basement.  At our house in Columbine, after Grandma Marquez left, you took over the basement for all your electronic toys.  Your friends loved that private space.

Dear Bro,

Sorry I've been in turtle mode these last 3 years.  I had too much of my own family crisis going on.  Kyle mailed you a letter and it got delivered while you were at the hospital.  He wondered why you didn't write back.  He thought you were busy.  He is so sad he can't be with you right now.  He is praying for you daily.  He said, "This isn't about us right now.  It is in God's hands and timing."  How did he get so wise?

Mom (Barbara) always would be silent when life was stressful.  "If you can't be kind, then don't say anything at all."  I learned that really well.  I pull into my shell and disappear.  I'm so sorry I was a lousy sister to you. She also said, "Debbie take care of yourself and quit worrying about everybody."  I guess I learned that too well.

At least I came at a moment's notice last year when you moved into your apartment.  Brad, Erick, Kyle, and Justin, got you moved in I think in about 4 hours.  We had lunch and it was so surprising that Justin had a beer.  He has grown up!

If you wake up, I'll make red chili with hominy and pinto beans.  I promise to have fresh sopaipillas, homemade baklava, and your all-time favorite creme puffs.  I always made them for your birthday when we both lived under the same roof. 

Grandma Marquez taught us to have faith in God, be proud of our family, show love by serving delicious food, and value Spanish as that was her first language.  I think we all tried to learn it, but I was a failure.  I really got the Catholic heritage thing going on.  Those roots go deep.

When you arrive in heaven be sure to kiss Mom, Dad, Veronica, Grandpa and Grandma Marquez, Grandpa Case, Grandma Brown, Delores, David, Uncle Phil and Aunt Lucy, Aunt Gerry and Uncle Jim, Aunt Carmen and Uncle Bob, Uncle Bubbles and Aunt Lorraine, Aunt Mary and Uncle Newman, Aunt Bonnie, Uncle Larry, and everyone else I'm forgetting at the moment.  You would know you were the family historian that I relied upon.

Watch over everyone you are leaving behind. 

(My dog is freaking out because I'm not sleeping and crying. Bow doesn't understand and is afraid of me right now.)  Speaking of dogs, I'm sure those you loved are playing with you now including Nikki and Peppe.  Don' forget my ducks, Quacky and George.

I told you I'm not sleeping so instead I'm writing about you.

Do you remember me dressing you up as a girl?  You looked just like Antoinette.  I don't have a picture in my box, but you were very pretty.  I guess that is why you are a handsome man.  Do you remember having me perming your hair?  The 1980's curly mullet; you were debonair.

Do you remember visiting with me in Texas?  I hope I was a good big sister because I can't remember what we did.  I just remember Texas was suffocatingly hot.  I was in my early 20's and you were either graduated or close to graduating high school.

Kyle and Erick remember having a blast with you after Kyle's graduation party.  I left to go to bed and you stayed up with them until 4 am.  You got 3 hours of sleep and then we had to be at the University of Wyoming in Laramie to watch him graduate.  You had to fly (drive) home afterward, I don't remember why but something about David and Tyler.  You can be a party animal!

My boys are grieving even if they can't visit right now.  I have to remember I'm not the only one grieving, this is way to hard.  They will always cherish their memories of all the sporting events you took them too.

I'm not sleeping because you won't wake up....instead I pray and think.

Do you remember the Bone and Mealfish sandwiches Antoinette would make for you?  You said they were delicious, but I wouldn't touch them with a ten-foot pole.  You loved the attention.

Do you remember when we were playing choo-choo train?  I stepped backward with my fashionable 1970 knee-hi boots and broke your little bitty foot.  I got in so much trouble...

Do you remember the summers I spent at Children's Hospital because you were born a runt?  You were two months early and half cooked.  Mom brought you home and you looked like a rat.  I remember thinking, "This is a baby?"    Then because mom was ahead of her time, she got Dr. Rademacher to authorize occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech therapy and preschool for you.  I know Uncle Rocky paid for some of it.  I hated Children's Hospital.  We had an old Corvair with sticky plastic seats and no AC-am radio.  Mom would cram us into the car and she would only make right turns all the way to the hospital.  How she did that is a wonder to me.  However, I don't think family knows you wasted my summers away.....Not really.  It paid off.  You didn't shut up after you started talking.  And now I'm a Special Education Teacher--for 19 years.  (Not to mention Justin and my own son, Kyle with speech difficulty...they are all takers now)

Lastly, do you remember my nicknames?  Koola-cow and Debbie-Doo-Do-in the Donuts.

Don sent me this email and link to mp3 file.  Thank you so much Don!
__________
Family,

For those of you who were unable to be on the Zoom and conference call for Joe’s prayer service on Wednesday, I made a recording of the prayer service.

The service was given by Rev. Michelle Scavetta from the church that Joe and his fiancée Lisa attend.

The recording is attached to this email as an .mp3 recording.

If you want to play the recording on an Apple computer or iPhone, change the file extension from .mp3 to  .m4c .

The first few seconds of the recording are garbled while people on the conference line talk to each other, but once the minister starts to speak, the sound is fine.

Please send this recording to your siblings.  
The recording is about 15 minutes in length.

Thanks.
Don

Song – On Eagle’s Wings
Welcome/ Opening Blessing – Rev. Michelle
Reading – Rev. Michelle
Remembering Joe Eulogy – read by Rev. Michelle
Deborah Case-loving sister:

Today is a very heartbreaking day. My brother, Joe, lost his life far too soon. He had a lot left to accomplish and it is unfortunate that he isn’t here with us. However, today we should not focus on the grief, but instead, celebrate his life. My brother was a wonderful man who lived his life to the fullest and would want us to celebrate his accomplishments.  

Joe and I always had a close connection to each other.  My brother was only seven years younger than me. He seemed to think of me almost like a surrogate mom.  I helped in his care when he was a baby, toddler, and teenager.  I got to give him a bottle, change diapers, and give him many hot baths.  I would play and torment him.  I would dress him up as a little girl and chase him around the yard.  When he got older I bought him clothes for prom or homecoming and would match corsages to the girl's dresses.  I would perm his hair and cut the sides short, typical 1980’s curly mullet. 

Joe’s most amazing accomplishment was being a loving father to his three boys Justin, David, and Tyler.  He didn’t mean to leave them so young.  He is watching over you in heaven and now is a guardian angel.  He will forever be by your side.  You just have to think of him and offer him up in prayer to God.   He significantly helped raise medical awareness of argininosuccinic aciduria to find a cure for Justin.

As a young child, Joe's first journey with technology was in taking apart a typewriter.  He quickly moved on to making his own computers, tv's out of computer parts, and was a lover of new technology and gadgets.  He was very proud of his Master’s Degree and various Public Relations and Communications jobs.  Joe was an enthusiastic sports fan, lover of nature, empathetic listener, and connoisseur of food. 

I know that it will be very difficult for all the loved ones Joe leaves behind.  He will be forever missed.  However, I also know that Joe would not want us to be overwhelmed with sadness. He was a very loving individual and would want us to miss him in a joyful way, remembering him as he was.  Let’s remember Joe’s amazing qualities and appreciate the time we got to spend with him. We should make sure that his memory lives on in all of us for as long as we live.   He has soared home on eagle wings to rest with his eternal family-God, mom, dad, and Veronica.  Jesus will meet him at heaven’s door.

Committal – Rev. Michelle    
Thoughts on immortality – Rev. Michelle
Flower Ritual – Invitation by Rev. Michelle
Closing Prayer and Blessing – Rev. Michelle
Song – Miss Someone Everyday