Antonio (Tony) Ortega Jr was 92 years on March 20, 2022 when he went to meet his maker. Tony passed away at the VA Hospital in Aurora, Colorado surrounded by his family. He is preceded in death by his father Antonio Ortega Sr, and his mother Pascualita (Pita) Blea Ortega ; wife Nancy Ortega, son Antonio (Reggie) Ortega III, brother Levi Ortega, sister Virginia Lovato, nephew Leroy Apodaca, nieces Isabel Gonzalez, and Karen Vialpando, son-on- law Richard Lopez, brother-in-laws Jose B Apodaca, Walter (Doc) Truelove, and Albert Lovato, sister in law Sally Ortega. Survived by his children son Eric (Connie) Ortega, daughter Yvonne Lopez, sisters Carmen Apodaca, Martha (Ermino) Abeyta, Patsy (Gene) Sena, Christina Truelove, brother Carlos (Shirley) Ortega, 10 Grandchildren, 12 Great Grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Tony was born on the 5th of January in 1930 to Antonio Ortega Sr and Pascualita (Pita) Blea Ortega in Las Vegas, New Mexico, he was raised in a little town called Los Viajiles in New Mexico where he had very fond memories hanging out with cousins; his family then moved to Rocky Ford where he and his family farmed. In 1951 he joined the Army and was a lineman where he fought in the Korean War, after his service he worked at the CF & I Steel Mill in Pueblo for 33 years in the Blast Furnace Sector. His passion was farming and family, he loved to be surrounded by family and his friends, and his dog Mindy. He loved to travel, garden, gambling and dancing. When he was a young man he won awards for his dancing, he danced like he was dancing on air; oh and how he loved his scratch Lotto tickets. He had a strong belief in the Lord and was a member of Holy Cross Catholic Church in Thornton, Colorado, and a member of the American Legion. He will be remembered for his belief in hard work. Dad adopted a saying (one John Wayne once said) “Get up! You’re burning daylight!” which meant, there is work to be and done and time is wasting! We will miss his laughter, his smile, him scolding us and the love for his family and God. Dad thanks for all the wonderful memories and thanks for being a strong, tough, and incredible man. We’ve been honored and proud to call you our dad. Forever keeping you memory alive. Forever loved. Services will be St Peters Catholic Church in Rocky Ford on Saturday April 9, 2022, Viewing will be at 8:00 am with Rosary at 8:30am and Mass at 9:00am, burial will take place at Rocky Ford Cemetery following.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.tgmccarthy.com for the Ortega family.
