
Being raised in a community where your history connects to every part of your present, it is difficult to find the courage to leave. It is similarly difficult to forge a path and stay. Questa del Rio News is committed to highlighting different members of our community, both those who have created their paths and planted their own roots in the community that raised them, and those who have pursued lives outside of the community—through our Representando series. This series is dedicated to those who are Representando communities in northern Taos County, in various facets of life.

Questa native George Montoya is known for a variety of skills, not least of which is his ability to make you laugh. He grew up in Questa, one of 11 children. “I’m number four in the socket wrench line-up. Growing up in a household with that many children, you have to learn to work together, and you have to learn to share everything,” says Montoya.
His family’s property had a little bit of everything, from cows to their own little farm that yielded the vegetables and beans Montoya’s parents provided for their children. He remembers being in about seventh or eighth grade and working alongside his siblings on his parents’ house. “My dad would be away for work, and my mom would tell us in Spanish that we needed to do our work on the house before dad got home. So there we were, at the last minute, rushing to do what we could before dad arrived. We were throwing everything we could to fill the walls as fast as we could—rocks and even cans,” he chuckles.These experiences served Montoya well and helped him create a life for himself through the vocations of carpentry and welding. After his high school graduation in 1972, he moved to Las Vegas, New Mexico, to attend Highlands University with the goal of becoming a teacher. Quickly realizing that he wanted to work outside instead of in a classroom, Montoya obtained his welding certificate from Luna Community College, also in Las Vegas. Afterwards, he worked in carpentry and as a contract welder, helping to build bridges in the area. He would visit home often but didn’t return to Questa permanently until 2000.
Upon Montoya’s return to Questa, he worked at the Questa Mine for about five years as a welder and then retired from that position. In 2012, Montoya married Janice at an outdoor ceremony in Rio Costilla. “We love being outdoors. I’d much rather go camping than go to Disneyland or Mexico. We love camping, fishing, hunting, and spending time with our grandchildren,” both George and Janice express.
When Montoya returned to Questa, he quickly got involved with community service activities. He became an active participant in food pantry distribution, helped rebuild the rectory at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, and became a member of the Knights of Columbus, a faith-based organization focused on charity and unity. “Faith has always been an important part of our lives. In our house, God comes first,” says Janice. After speaking with Montoya about the things in life that he finds important or the things that have made him successful, he says that he never stopped learning and trying new things. “I never thought there was something that I couldn’t do, so I tried everything.” Another thing that Montoya enjoys doing is meeting for coffee every morning at Cynthia Rael’s coffee shop. “I love being around people, I love making people laugh, and I love bringing a smile to people’s faces. What also brings me joy is knowing that I can help people when they need it.” Whether it’s plowing snow from a neighbor’s driveway or helping a friend fix their heater, he is there.
A near-death car accident made a major impact on Montoya’s life in 2018. “That crash really made me look at my life and know I needed to change. I had been doing the party life for a while, but that accident really made me want to change my life, and I’ve been sober for eight years.”
Evidence of Montoya’s skills is apparent in his home and remains part of his daily life. A 1929 classic car rebuild is his current hobby. “There were a lot of pieces to this car that were missing, so I had to fabricate some to make the car whole again.” The picture of Montoya was taken outside his Questa home, which he built. It’s a beautiful two-story craftsman-style home with a staircase railing made from wood harvested from upper Cabresto.
Montoya’s life mantra or words that he lives by are really more of a question than a statement: “Why not?” Why can’t I do that? Why shouldn’t I try that? This has led to life skills that he learned on his own and continues to foster.
When I think of Questa, I think not only of our beautiful landscapes but also the notable people of our community, and George Montoya is definitely one of them. After meeting with him, I am reminded how Questeños are a capable lot, full of ingenuity and creativity. We are lucky to have people like him who give back to the community and continue to find ways to make Questa a welcoming place.
Author
-
Experience working with the USDA Forest Service and extensive knowledge of the northern region, while maintaining and fostering strong community relationships remain a big priority.
View all posts