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Isidro Quezada left Mexico 29 years ago as a 14-year-old boy.

It would take him more than 30 attempts to permanently cross the American border, but his persistence made possible his dream of a better life as an American citizen.

Today, sitting at his comfortable home in Craig filled with the smiling faces of his family, the proud eyes of the strong man in the cowboy hat let all know that his struggles are in the past.

Quezada said that as a boy he saw American cowboy movies and envisioned a greater life north of his hometown in Jalisco, Mexico.

While American boys were busy playing pee-wee football at 14 years old, Quezada was working for 50 cents an hour in Arizona.

"For a 14-year-old boy, coming to a country you don't know, the money, the color, everything was different," he recalled.

He was constantly on the lookout for jobs, as well as the police. Scores of deportations never discouraged him though, as he returned to the border every time.

"Walking five days and five nights across the desert is something," he said.

Quezada's teenage years were long and difficult, but he slowly worked his way up to better paying jobs -- some as much as $2 an hour. His cowboy dream eventually came true when he got a job in Montana working on a ranch.

In 1981, six years after he first left Mexico, Quezada ended up in Craig.

"I've been a lot of places, and I decided to stay in Craig," he said. "I live here because 99 percent of the people here just see me as one more citizen."

He said his current job at Trapper Mine is the best he's had yet. The entrepreneur also owns a small, family-run fencing company called El Jimador.

Quezada was granted American citizenship in 1996, and is now dedicated to helping anyone else in search of a better life.

He is known today as the grandfather of the Hispanic community in Craig, and also the unofficial mayor of the community.

He professed he will always help anybody in need, of any race, especially those in need of a job.

One of Quezada's greatest assets to his community is his ability to speak fluent English, which he learned entirely on his own. He is now a committed translator in his Hispanic community.

"I decided someday I wanted to know what everyone around me was saying," he said frankly, adding that much better jobs are available to those who can speak the native tongue.

Today all eight of his siblings live in the U.S., five of them in Craig. His proud parents still live in Mexico, whom he tries to visit every couple years.

Quezada said he is grateful to have his family close to him, including his wife Anna, and his children Isidro Jr., Marcos, Virginia, Angelica, his son-in-law Osvaldo, and daughter-in-law Marisol. He also has two grandchildren.

He emphasizes the importance of learning English to his children, but also encourages them to embrace their cultural roots.

One way Quezada expresses his roots is by coaching El Mexico, a soccer team he formed when he first came to Craig.

"We come from Mexican culture, and we know to play soccer everyday," he said.

While most of the players are Hispanic, Quezada said anybody who loves to play soccer is welcome to join. The team competes against teams all across the region, including Aspen, Vail and Rock Springs, WY.

Looking back at the seemingly impossible hurdles he cleared to become a leader and an idol in his community, Quezada believes great things can be accomplished with faith.

"I've done the best I can," he said with a confident smile.