Salvador Joe Quijas, 64, of Gering, Nebraska entered into eternal rest on Wednesday, May 3, 2023, in Gering. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at noon, Friday, May 12, 2023, at Our Lady Guadalupe Catholic Church in Scottsbluff with Fr. Joseph Thambi as celebrant. Inurnment will follow at Fairview Cemetery in Scottsbluff. The Nebraska Army National Guard and Gering American Legion Post 36 Funeral Honor Guard will provide military honors. Cremation has taken place and there will be no viewing. Memorials may be made to Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church. The services will be livestreamed and recorded to Salvador’s obituary page viewable at www.reverencefuneralparlor.com.
Salvador was born February 11, 1959, in Scottsbluff, Nebraska to Jess and Angela R. (Sanchez) Quijas. He attended school in Scottsbluff and joined the United States Army in 1976. He specialized in diesel mechanics before his honorable discharge from the service.
His mechanical skills landed him a job with Raymond Balentine trucking soon after his exit from the military. Salvador held various other mechanic jobs and also worked independently. He maintained a big rig for independent drivers. He was an expert mechanic with over 40 years of experience repairing and rebuilding semis up until his passing.
Salvador was well-known for running in local marathons. He was an excellent runner and ran a half marathon for the 2001 Salt Lake Olympics with the Olympic torch through Nebraska. He had a unique appreciation for classic rock and an enormous collection of vinyl records. Mirror-sketching was a peaceful hobby that he enjoyed. He was an avid Colorado Rockies fan and liked traveling to Denver to watch the games with family and friends.
Survivors include his siblings, Kathy Quijas of Tucson, AZ, Lillian (Wilfredo) Figueroa of Killeen, TX, Monica Quijas of El Paso, TX, Mike (Mercedes) Quijas of Scottsbluff, Daniel (Elvira) Quijas of San Tan, AZ, Jess Jr. (Sandra) Quijas of Scottsbluff, Tracy (Terry) Ruddick of Mead, CO, Sandra Dee Quijas of Phoenix, AZ, and Daniel Lee Quijas Jr. of Scottsbluff; aunt, Josephine Leon of Alliance, NE; uncle, Angel Sanchez of Scottsbluff; numerous nieces and nephews; along with extended family and friends.
Salvador was preceded in death by his paternal and maternal grandparents; his parents; and many aunts and uncles.
