It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of Marco Antonio Ayon on January 19, 2023.

He was born to Antonia and Antonio Ayon on November 11, 1949.  He is preceded in death by his parents, his nephew and godson Raul Ayon, niece Barbara Quiroz Sanchez, and sister-in-law Isabel Trejo. He is survived by his wife Anna (Trejo), daughter Marcela Anisa Tadeo (Mike), and son Marco Antonio II (Susie); his siblings, Cecilia (Pablo) Gonzalez, Soledad (Les) Martinez, Evaristo (Magdalena), Angel (Carol); and his in-laws, who loved him like a brother, Placido (Carol) Trejo, Angie (Ramon) Quiroz, David Trejo, Gene Trejo, MaryAnn (Ruben) Montoya, and many nieces and nephews.

Marco attended Santa Cruz Catholic School, where he was an altar boy.  He graduated from Salpointe High School in 1968.  He enlisted in the US Navy, serving his country proudly. He was a Vietnam Veteran and served aboard the USS Valley Forge (LPH-8) and the USS Midway (CVA-41).  He was employed by AT&T/Mt Bell/US West/Qwest/Centurylink, participated as a union steward for the Communication Workers of America (CWA), and retired in 2003 after 31 ½ yrs. Following retirement, he worked a couple of years as a school monitor for TUSD at Cholla High School.

He was a Western Little League baseball/softball coach when his children were young. He didn't know much about coaching, but he learned fast.

He loved to dance and listen to his music. He was an avid UA fan (go Cats), Houston Astros fan, Mexico soccer fan, and a lifelong Raider fan (Raider Nation).

Marco was a generous, loving, hardworking husband and father. He was looking forward to celebrating his 50 ^th wedding anniversary on May 26, 2023.  He will be greatly missed by all who loved him.  We will especially miss him.  Not seeing his face or hearing his voice will be the hardest part of making it through each day.  He is resting now, and with that we can find comfort.

We would like to thank all the nurses and doctors in the ICU at the VA Medical Center for working tirelessly in caring for our loved one.  We would like to thank Chaplain Bob for praying for him every day. We are especially thankful for the Trejo, Quiroz, Montoya families and countless friends that have embraced us and given us the comfort we need.