"Page Pioneer" and Page High School Coach & Teacher Buster Madariaga passed away December 3, 2015.
H. Buster Madariaga was born and raised in Springerville and resided there until his death.
A graduate of Round Valley High School, Springerville, Arizona, he was very athletic, earning All American Honors in football his senior year 1949. His son, Buster Earl, who competed from 1979-1983 in football, basketball and track, graduated from RVHS in 1983.
He attended college at Arizona State College (now Northern Arizona University) in Flagstaff, AZ, graduating in 1957 with a PhD in physical education.
He served as co-captain for the 1956 Lumberjack football team, coached by Max Spilsbury, and was a recipient of the Golden Axe Award. (October 13, 1954 - "Buster Madariaga, a halfback for the Lumberjacks, is expected to move into the quarterback slot, although he, too, is nursing an injured ankle.")
Buster served in the Navy as a Navy Frogman during the Korean War, certified in deep-sea diving and underwater demolition, and stationed aboard the USS Everglades.
Buster was an avid outdoorsman, loved to hunt and fish the White Mountains. He was a cowboy and rodeo champion, including College Bareback Champion 1957 and Arizona Rodeo Association Saddle Bronc Champion 1963.
Like many of the teachers in Page, Buster worked for the National Park Service, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area in Wahweap as a Seasonal Park Ranger.
Buster worked as a teacher and coach for over 30 years at various schools, but Round Valley was where he taught the longest. After retiring from teaching, he enjoyed having dinner at Hon-Dah with family and friends and spending time with his grandkids.
Buster is survived by his wife of 52 years, Margo Madariaga; son Buster Earl Madariaga; daughter-in-law Melissa Madariaga; daughter Dawn R. Madariaga-Lee; grandchildren Justin Perkins, Morgen Madariaga, Macey Madariaga and Aaron Madariaga; and great-grandchildren Riley Perkins, Brytleigh Gutierrez and Rasiton Gutierrez. (Buster Earl (Melissa) Madariaga, are owners of the family's Booga Red's Restaurant in Springerville, where a restaurant has been owned and operated by the Madariaga Family since at least 1940 when Coach Madariaga's father was also the cook. This particular restaurant was opened in the 1970s by Edgar Merrill, and today it's owned and run by his granddaughter, Melissa Madariaga, and her husband Buster Earl Madriaga.)
Steve Wolbert, PHS Class of 1963, wrote:
"To all my friends from Page: I just got word that BUSTER MADARIAGA passed away. He was such a great influence on my life & many others' lives. May he R.I.P. I remember so many football away games where we would travel by bus for 300 miles, & no lights on fields back then, so all games were played on Saturday morning. Coach Madariaga always had a positive attitude & not only taught us about Football, but life, & pushed us to our limits. His favorite sayings were, 'HE WHO HESITATES IS LOST' and, 'IF YOU ARE NOT GOING FORWARD, YOU ARE GOING BACK, BECAUSE THE REST OF THE WORLD IS MOVING ON.' I know we will all miss him. The photos of him with our Class of 1963 were from our 50th Class Reunion in Page."
Joanne Fesler '66 wrote:
"Mr. Madariaga taught me how to drive - Driver's Ed at Page High School. We would meet him at a café where he would have his coffee and hop in and drive down to the Page Country Club. I gave him a fright once when I did not brake as soon as he thought I should. I did a wheelie once as well, not meaning to. That man had patience with all of us! Day is done - Peace."
Jim "Jesse" Cheff, PHS Class of 1961, wrote:
"I worked with Madriaga as a Seasonal Park Ranger for a couple of years at Glen Canyon NRA, Wahweap. He was a great guy. Great sense of humor and one tough nut. My brother played for him and loved him as a coach. He left a good legacy, and he will be missed."
Pete Hoynes, PHS Class of 1964, wrote:
"Buster had such a good influence on many young men and women in Page. I know he did for me. He will always be fondly remembered."
Exley Hoynes, FHS Class of 1960,
(brother of Pete Hoynes '64) wrote:
"Buster was a great friend, although I never went to school in Page. You mentioned that he was ARA Saddle Bronc Champion in 1963. I went with him to the Casa Grande rodeo where he was he was recognized as the ARA Saddle Bronc Champion. We stopped by the Arizona Republic newspaper for pictures on the return to Page. I believe the picture of Buster in the cowboy hat is one that was taken at the Arizona Republic. While in Casa Grande on Saturday night, we were at a bar, and I got separated from Buster. I was in college clothes, and a couple of cowboys started giving me a hard time (in not a friendly manner). Things started to get serious when Buster jumped up on a chair and yelled, 'He's with me'. I don't think I had to buy a drink the rest of the night. My wife, Chris, and I stopped by Springerville and had coffee with Buster. That was about 15 years ago. I now regret not stopping by more often."
Charles L. "Chuck" Sasse, PHS Class of 1964, wrote:
Years ago, I was ice fishing on Blue Mesa Reservoir, near Gunnison, CO. A game warden came to check my license, and I noticed his name was Madariaga. I asked him if he knew Buster, and he said he was his uncle. Buster was a good man."
1940 Census (April 6, 1940)
Springerville, Apache County, Arizona
(1935: Same House)
All born in AZ but Sam, Sr. (born in Mexico)
Sam Octavio Madariaga, Sr. 52 -
Owner/Cook - Restaurant
Theresa Madariaga 33
Cleo Madariaga 14
Sam Madariaga, Jr. 12
BUSTER MADARIAGA 8
I received a notice that Coach Madariaga's funeral will be this Saturday, December 12, 2015, and I found an online prayer request from last Sunday, Dec. 6th, for "The Family of Buster Madariaga" at the Church of St. Peter in Springerville.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, December 12, 2015, at St. Peters Catholic Church, 117 E. Apache St., Springerville, AZ, with rosary at 9:30 a.m. and service and Mass at 10 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to hospice.
At this time, I'm only guessing that he will be buried in the local cemetery where his parents are buried.
H. Buster Madariaga was born and raised in Springerville and resided there until his death.
A graduate of Round Valley High School, Springerville, Arizona, he was very athletic, earning All American Honors in football his senior year 1949. His son, Buster Earl, who competed from 1979-1983 in football, basketball and track, graduated from RVHS in 1983.
He attended college at Arizona State College (now Northern Arizona University) in Flagstaff, AZ, graduating in 1957 with a PhD in physical education.
He served as co-captain for the 1956 Lumberjack football team, coached by Max Spilsbury, and was a recipient of the Golden Axe Award. (October 13, 1954 - "Buster Madariaga, a halfback for the Lumberjacks, is expected to move into the quarterback slot, although he, too, is nursing an injured ankle.")
Buster served in the Navy as a Navy Frogman during the Korean War, certified in deep-sea diving and underwater demolition, and stationed aboard the USS Everglades.
Buster was an avid outdoorsman, loved to hunt and fish the White Mountains. He was a cowboy and rodeo champion, including College Bareback Champion 1957 and Arizona Rodeo Association Saddle Bronc Champion 1963.
Like many of the teachers in Page, Buster worked for the National Park Service, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area in Wahweap as a Seasonal Park Ranger.
Buster worked as a teacher and coach for over 30 years at various schools, but Round Valley was where he taught the longest. After retiring from teaching, he enjoyed having dinner at Hon-Dah with family and friends and spending time with his grandkids.
Buster is survived by his wife of 52 years, Margo Madariaga; son Buster Earl Madariaga; daughter-in-law Melissa Madariaga; daughter Dawn R. Madariaga-Lee; grandchildren Justin Perkins, Morgen Madariaga, Macey Madariaga and Aaron Madariaga; and great-grandchildren Riley Perkins, Brytleigh Gutierrez and Rasiton Gutierrez. (Buster Earl (Melissa) Madariaga, are owners of the family's Booga Red's Restaurant in Springerville, where a restaurant has been owned and operated by the Madariaga Family since at least 1940 when Coach Madariaga's father was also the cook. This particular restaurant was opened in the 1970s by Edgar Merrill, and today it's owned and run by his granddaughter, Melissa Madariaga, and her husband Buster Earl Madriaga.)
Steve Wolbert, PHS Class of 1963, wrote:
"To all my friends from Page: I just got word that BUSTER MADARIAGA passed away. He was such a great influence on my life & many others' lives. May he R.I.P. I remember so many football away games where we would travel by bus for 300 miles, & no lights on fields back then, so all games were played on Saturday morning. Coach Madariaga always had a positive attitude & not only taught us about Football, but life, & pushed us to our limits. His favorite sayings were, 'HE WHO HESITATES IS LOST' and, 'IF YOU ARE NOT GOING FORWARD, YOU ARE GOING BACK, BECAUSE THE REST OF THE WORLD IS MOVING ON.' I know we will all miss him. The photos of him with our Class of 1963 were from our 50th Class Reunion in Page."
Joanne Fesler '66 wrote:
"Mr. Madariaga taught me how to drive - Driver's Ed at Page High School. We would meet him at a café where he would have his coffee and hop in and drive down to the Page Country Club. I gave him a fright once when I did not brake as soon as he thought I should. I did a wheelie once as well, not meaning to. That man had patience with all of us! Day is done - Peace."
Jim "Jesse" Cheff, PHS Class of 1961, wrote:
"I worked with Madriaga as a Seasonal Park Ranger for a couple of years at Glen Canyon NRA, Wahweap. He was a great guy. Great sense of humor and one tough nut. My brother played for him and loved him as a coach. He left a good legacy, and he will be missed."
Pete Hoynes, PHS Class of 1964, wrote:
"Buster had such a good influence on many young men and women in Page. I know he did for me. He will always be fondly remembered."
Exley Hoynes, FHS Class of 1960,
(brother of Pete Hoynes '64) wrote:
"Buster was a great friend, although I never went to school in Page. You mentioned that he was ARA Saddle Bronc Champion in 1963. I went with him to the Casa Grande rodeo where he was he was recognized as the ARA Saddle Bronc Champion. We stopped by the Arizona Republic newspaper for pictures on the return to Page. I believe the picture of Buster in the cowboy hat is one that was taken at the Arizona Republic. While in Casa Grande on Saturday night, we were at a bar, and I got separated from Buster. I was in college clothes, and a couple of cowboys started giving me a hard time (in not a friendly manner). Things started to get serious when Buster jumped up on a chair and yelled, 'He's with me'. I don't think I had to buy a drink the rest of the night. My wife, Chris, and I stopped by Springerville and had coffee with Buster. That was about 15 years ago. I now regret not stopping by more often."
Charles L. "Chuck" Sasse, PHS Class of 1964, wrote:
Years ago, I was ice fishing on Blue Mesa Reservoir, near Gunnison, CO. A game warden came to check my license, and I noticed his name was Madariaga. I asked him if he knew Buster, and he said he was his uncle. Buster was a good man."
1940 Census (April 6, 1940)
Springerville, Apache County, Arizona
(1935: Same House)
All born in AZ but Sam, Sr. (born in Mexico)
Sam Octavio Madariaga, Sr. 52 -
Owner/Cook - Restaurant
Theresa Madariaga 33
Cleo Madariaga 14
Sam Madariaga, Jr. 12
BUSTER MADARIAGA 8
I received a notice that Coach Madariaga's funeral will be this Saturday, December 12, 2015, and I found an online prayer request from last Sunday, Dec. 6th, for "The Family of Buster Madariaga" at the Church of St. Peter in Springerville.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, December 12, 2015, at St. Peters Catholic Church, 117 E. Apache St., Springerville, AZ, with rosary at 9:30 a.m. and service and Mass at 10 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to hospice.
At this time, I'm only guessing that he will be buried in the local cemetery where his parents are buried.
"Page Pioneer" and Page High School Coach & Teacher Buster Madariaga passed away December 3, 2015.
H. Buster Madariaga was born and raised in Springerville and resided there until his death.
A graduate of Round Valley High School, Springerville, Arizona, he was very athletic, earning All American Honors in football his senior year 1949. His son, Buster Earl, who competed from 1979-1983 in football, basketball and track, graduated from RVHS in 1983.
He attended college at Arizona State College (now Northern Arizona University) in Flagstaff, AZ, graduating in 1957 with a PhD in physical education.
He served as co-captain for the 1956 Lumberjack football team, coached by Max Spilsbury, and was a recipient of the Golden Axe Award. (October 13, 1954 - "Buster Madariaga, a halfback for the Lumberjacks, is expected to move into the quarterback slot, although he, too, is nursing an injured ankle.")
Buster served in the Navy as a Navy Frogman during the Korean War, certified in deep-sea diving and underwater demolition, and stationed aboard the USS Everglades.
Buster was an avid outdoorsman, loved to hunt and fish the White Mountains. He was a cowboy and rodeo champion, including College Bareback Champion 1957 and Arizona Rodeo Association Saddle Bronc Champion 1963.
Like many of the teachers in Page, Buster worked for the National Park Service, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area in Wahweap as a Seasonal Park Ranger.
Buster worked as a teacher and coach for over 30 years at various schools, but Round Valley was where he taught the longest. After retiring from teaching, he enjoyed having dinner at Hon-Dah with family and friends and spending time with his grandkids.
Buster is survived by his wife of 52 years, Margo Madariaga; son Buster Earl Madariaga; daughter-in-law Melissa Madariaga; daughter Dawn R. Madariaga-Lee; grandchildren Justin Perkins, Morgen Madariaga, Macey Madariaga and Aaron Madariaga; and great-grandchildren Riley Perkins, Brytleigh Gutierrez and Rasiton Gutierrez. (Buster Earl (Melissa) Madariaga, are owners of the family's Booga Red's Restaurant in Springerville, where a restaurant has been owned and operated by the Madariaga Family since at least 1940 when Coach Madariaga's father was also the cook. This particular restaurant was opened in the 1970s by Edgar Merrill, and today it's owned and run by his granddaughter, Melissa Madariaga, and her husband Buster Earl Madriaga.)
Steve Wolbert, PHS Class of 1963, wrote:
"To all my friends from Page: I just got word that BUSTER MADARIAGA passed away. He was such a great influence on my life & many others' lives. May he R.I.P. I remember so many football away games where we would travel by bus for 300 miles, & no lights on fields back then, so all games were played on Saturday morning. Coach Madariaga always had a positive attitude & not only taught us about Football, but life, & pushed us to our limits. His favorite sayings were, 'HE WHO HESITATES IS LOST' and, 'IF YOU ARE NOT GOING FORWARD, YOU ARE GOING BACK, BECAUSE THE REST OF THE WORLD IS MOVING ON.' I know we will all miss him. The photos of him with our Class of 1963 were from our 50th Class Reunion in Page."
Joanne Fesler '66 wrote:
"Mr. Madariaga taught me how to drive - Driver's Ed at Page High School. We would meet him at a café where he would have his coffee and hop in and drive down to the Page Country Club. I gave him a fright once when I did not brake as soon as he thought I should. I did a wheelie once as well, not meaning to. That man had patience with all of us! Day is done - Peace."
Jim "Jesse" Cheff, PHS Class of 1961, wrote:
"I worked with Madriaga as a Seasonal Park Ranger for a couple of years at Glen Canyon NRA, Wahweap. He was a great guy. Great sense of humor and one tough nut. My brother played for him and loved him as a coach. He left a good legacy, and he will be missed."
Pete Hoynes, PHS Class of 1964, wrote:
"Buster had such a good influence on many young men and women in Page. I know he did for me. He will always be fondly remembered."
Exley Hoynes, FHS Class of 1960,
(brother of Pete Hoynes '64) wrote:
"Buster was a great friend, although I never went to school in Page. You mentioned that he was ARA Saddle Bronc Champion in 1963. I went with him to the Casa Grande rodeo where he was he was recognized as the ARA Saddle Bronc Champion. We stopped by the Arizona Republic newspaper for pictures on the return to Page. I believe the picture of Buster in the cowboy hat is one that was taken at the Arizona Republic. While in Casa Grande on Saturday night, we were at a bar, and I got separated from Buster. I was in college clothes, and a couple of cowboys started giving me a hard time (in not a friendly manner). Things started to get serious when Buster jumped up on a chair and yelled, 'He's with me'. I don't think I had to buy a drink the rest of the night. My wife, Chris, and I stopped by Springerville and had coffee with Buster. That was about 15 years ago. I now regret not stopping by more often."
Charles L. "Chuck" Sasse, PHS Class of 1964, wrote:
Years ago, I was ice fishing on Blue Mesa Reservoir, near Gunnison, CO. A game warden came to check my license, and I noticed his name was Madariaga. I asked him if he knew Buster, and he said he was his uncle. Buster was a good man."
1940 Census (April 6, 1940)
Springerville, Apache County, Arizona
(1935: Same House)
All born in AZ but Sam, Sr. (born in Mexico)
Sam Octavio Madariaga, Sr. 52 -
Owner/Cook - Restaurant
Theresa Madariaga 33
Cleo Madariaga 14
Sam Madariaga, Jr. 12
BUSTER MADARIAGA 8
I received a notice that Coach Madariaga's funeral will be this Saturday, December 12, 2015, and I found an online prayer request from last Sunday, Dec. 6th, for "The Family of Buster Madariaga" at the Church of St. Peter in Springerville.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, December 12, 2015, at St. Peters Catholic Church, 117 E. Apache St., Springerville, AZ, with rosary at 9:30 a.m. and service and Mass at 10 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to hospice.
At this time, I'm only guessing that he will be buried in the local cemetery where his parents are buried.
H. Buster Madariaga was born and raised in Springerville and resided there until his death.
A graduate of Round Valley High School, Springerville, Arizona, he was very athletic, earning All American Honors in football his senior year 1949. His son, Buster Earl, who competed from 1979-1983 in football, basketball and track, graduated from RVHS in 1983.
He attended college at Arizona State College (now Northern Arizona University) in Flagstaff, AZ, graduating in 1957 with a PhD in physical education.
He served as co-captain for the 1956 Lumberjack football team, coached by Max Spilsbury, and was a recipient of the Golden Axe Award. (October 13, 1954 - "Buster Madariaga, a halfback for the Lumberjacks, is expected to move into the quarterback slot, although he, too, is nursing an injured ankle.")
Buster served in the Navy as a Navy Frogman during the Korean War, certified in deep-sea diving and underwater demolition, and stationed aboard the USS Everglades.
Buster was an avid outdoorsman, loved to hunt and fish the White Mountains. He was a cowboy and rodeo champion, including College Bareback Champion 1957 and Arizona Rodeo Association Saddle Bronc Champion 1963.
Like many of the teachers in Page, Buster worked for the National Park Service, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area in Wahweap as a Seasonal Park Ranger.
Buster worked as a teacher and coach for over 30 years at various schools, but Round Valley was where he taught the longest. After retiring from teaching, he enjoyed having dinner at Hon-Dah with family and friends and spending time with his grandkids.
Buster is survived by his wife of 52 years, Margo Madariaga; son Buster Earl Madariaga; daughter-in-law Melissa Madariaga; daughter Dawn R. Madariaga-Lee; grandchildren Justin Perkins, Morgen Madariaga, Macey Madariaga and Aaron Madariaga; and great-grandchildren Riley Perkins, Brytleigh Gutierrez and Rasiton Gutierrez. (Buster Earl (Melissa) Madariaga, are owners of the family's Booga Red's Restaurant in Springerville, where a restaurant has been owned and operated by the Madariaga Family since at least 1940 when Coach Madariaga's father was also the cook. This particular restaurant was opened in the 1970s by Edgar Merrill, and today it's owned and run by his granddaughter, Melissa Madariaga, and her husband Buster Earl Madriaga.)
Steve Wolbert, PHS Class of 1963, wrote:
"To all my friends from Page: I just got word that BUSTER MADARIAGA passed away. He was such a great influence on my life & many others' lives. May he R.I.P. I remember so many football away games where we would travel by bus for 300 miles, & no lights on fields back then, so all games were played on Saturday morning. Coach Madariaga always had a positive attitude & not only taught us about Football, but life, & pushed us to our limits. His favorite sayings were, 'HE WHO HESITATES IS LOST' and, 'IF YOU ARE NOT GOING FORWARD, YOU ARE GOING BACK, BECAUSE THE REST OF THE WORLD IS MOVING ON.' I know we will all miss him. The photos of him with our Class of 1963 were from our 50th Class Reunion in Page."
Joanne Fesler '66 wrote:
"Mr. Madariaga taught me how to drive - Driver's Ed at Page High School. We would meet him at a café where he would have his coffee and hop in and drive down to the Page Country Club. I gave him a fright once when I did not brake as soon as he thought I should. I did a wheelie once as well, not meaning to. That man had patience with all of us! Day is done - Peace."
Jim "Jesse" Cheff, PHS Class of 1961, wrote:
"I worked with Madriaga as a Seasonal Park Ranger for a couple of years at Glen Canyon NRA, Wahweap. He was a great guy. Great sense of humor and one tough nut. My brother played for him and loved him as a coach. He left a good legacy, and he will be missed."
Pete Hoynes, PHS Class of 1964, wrote:
"Buster had such a good influence on many young men and women in Page. I know he did for me. He will always be fondly remembered."
Exley Hoynes, FHS Class of 1960,
(brother of Pete Hoynes '64) wrote:
"Buster was a great friend, although I never went to school in Page. You mentioned that he was ARA Saddle Bronc Champion in 1963. I went with him to the Casa Grande rodeo where he was he was recognized as the ARA Saddle Bronc Champion. We stopped by the Arizona Republic newspaper for pictures on the return to Page. I believe the picture of Buster in the cowboy hat is one that was taken at the Arizona Republic. While in Casa Grande on Saturday night, we were at a bar, and I got separated from Buster. I was in college clothes, and a couple of cowboys started giving me a hard time (in not a friendly manner). Things started to get serious when Buster jumped up on a chair and yelled, 'He's with me'. I don't think I had to buy a drink the rest of the night. My wife, Chris, and I stopped by Springerville and had coffee with Buster. That was about 15 years ago. I now regret not stopping by more often."
Charles L. "Chuck" Sasse, PHS Class of 1964, wrote:
Years ago, I was ice fishing on Blue Mesa Reservoir, near Gunnison, CO. A game warden came to check my license, and I noticed his name was Madariaga. I asked him if he knew Buster, and he said he was his uncle. Buster was a good man."
1940 Census (April 6, 1940)
Springerville, Apache County, Arizona
(1935: Same House)
All born in AZ but Sam, Sr. (born in Mexico)
Sam Octavio Madariaga, Sr. 52 -
Owner/Cook - Restaurant
Theresa Madariaga 33
Cleo Madariaga 14
Sam Madariaga, Jr. 12
BUSTER MADARIAGA 8
I received a notice that Coach Madariaga's funeral will be this Saturday, December 12, 2015, and I found an online prayer request from last Sunday, Dec. 6th, for "The Family of Buster Madariaga" at the Church of St. Peter in Springerville.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, December 12, 2015, at St. Peters Catholic Church, 117 E. Apache St., Springerville, AZ, with rosary at 9:30 a.m. and service and Mass at 10 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to hospice.
At this time, I'm only guessing that he will be buried in the local cemetery where his parents are buried.
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Records on Ancestry
Advertisement
