Donald “Donnie” Quintero ~ July 21, 1963 to October 28,2023 ~ “Grampa Donnie is our hero; he will be forever missed.”

Donnie Quintero, 60, passed away in a house fire in the early morning of Saturday, October 28, 2023 trying to save his grandson Stryder Ross (Beans). Grandpa Donnie heroically ran back in to save grandson Stryder but unfortunately both perished in the fire.

Donnie was born at the Schurz Indian Hospital in Schurz, Nevada to Douglas Dean Quintero, Sr. and Alberta (Cookie) Hicks Quintero on July 21, 1963. Donnie was welcomed by big brother Douglas Dean (Denny) Quintero, Jr. He was a member of the Walker River Paiute Tribe.

In addition to being a grandpa, Donnie was a well-known saddle maker and leather carver and an all-around cowboy. He never went anywhere without his spurs on. He was a well-respected and well known member of the local and cowboy communities. He was a lifelong rancher, loved to hunt, fish, cowboy, chase mustangs, farm, ranch, rodeo and team roping. Donnie was always cracking a joke, looking for a laugh. In his younger years he rode bulls and broncs and qualified for bronc riding at the Indian National Finals Rodeo (INFR) finals rodeos in both Albuquerque and Rapid City. He took pleasure in team roping and won numerous prizes.

Donnie was preceded in death by granddaughter Summer Emilia; father Douglas Quintero, Sr.; grandparents Patricio and Jennie (Quartz) Quintero and Delbert and Rita (Johnson) Hicks; uncles Whitney and Roland Quartz, Pancho Quintero, Jonathan (Chauna), Arthur, Leroy Norman and Alvin (Chuck) Hicks and aunts Beatrice Guzman, Patricia (Padu) Brown. He is survived by his son Brandon (Spencer); daughter Karmen; stepson Jeremy Means; grandchildren Weston and Saylah; mother Alberta (Cookie); brother Denny; niece Tanya; nephew Sim and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

A duel memorial service was held on Sunday, November 5, 2023 in the Schurz Gym and burial at the Schurz Paiute Cemetery. Freitas Rupracht Funeral Home assisted the family with the arrangements.

The family would like to thank everyone for their heartfelt prayers, condolences, kindness and donations during this difficult time. The family is appreciative of the assistance and support from the Walker River Paiute Tribe.

My heroes have always been cowboys. Grandpa Donnie is our hero; he will be forever missed.