Memorial services are planned for the two victims of last week’s shooting at Aztec High School.
A memorial service will be held Friday for Francisco Fernandez, with family friends asking anyone with a customized car – one of Fernandez’s favorite passions – to join in a procession.
Alex Hutton, a family friend, said the memorial service for the 18-year-old, who was in his junior year, is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. at Piñon Hills Community Church, 5101 North Dustin Ave. in Farmington.
Hutton said the service could take anywhere from 2 to 3 hours, and after that, there will be a procession to take Fernandez’s remains to Memory Gardens Cemetery, about 5 miles east of the church, located on Highway 516.
All drivers are encouraged to participate, but Hutton said customized cars, especially, are invited, as the vehicles were a favorite hobby of Fernandez, who was known as “Paco.”
“Low riders, lifted trucks, custom cars, hot rods – anything custom,” Hutton said. “Hopefully, we’ll have a big turnout to get Paco Jr. to his final resting place.”
Hutton said seats are limited at the church for the service, and anyone planning to take part in the procession should plan for heavy traffic.
A memorial service for Casey Jordan Marquez, the other victim in the shooting, is planned for 11 a.m. Sunday at San Juan College in the Henderson Fine Arts Building, 4601 College Blvd. in Farmington, said Debbie Johnson.
A reception for the 17-year-old girl will follow the service at the Fine Arts Building, followed by a procession to a bonfire behind the Step Back Inn in Aztec, 123 West Aztec Blvd.
Johnson, Marquez’s cheerleading coach, said the bonfire is open to the public.
“It’s for healing,” Johnson said.
Johnson, who has known Marquez for most of her life, said she was an amazing cheerleader and was recently hired by a cheer camp company. She was supposed to start this summer.
“Casey was one of the happiest people you would have ever known, and she just showed that with everybody that met her,” Johnson said.
“It’s been amazing to see the greater community, not just Aztec – everyone – come together.”
jromeo@durangoherald.com
