Jose S. Ornelas

Dad had a vigor for life but is now finally resting his body and mind which was always on the go making sure not a moment was wasted. Dad was born on October 23, 1929 in Walsendburg, CO to Zacarias and Calixta Ornelas. His family eventually went back to Zacatecas, Mexico. He was a restless young boy and left home at a very early age, boarded a train and headed to El Paso, TX. He was spotted by a relative who recognized him as he was walking the streets of Juarez. They put him in contact with his sisters and so began his life in El Paso.

Dad attended Sacred Heart School where he met Mom. He was able to attend school only up to the 3rd grade but he made the best of it and more of himself with determination and a strong work ethic. He began working for The Fred Harvey Company in Grand Canyon, AZ; thus began his career as a chef. He also worked at the Hilton Hotel now known as the Plaza Hotel. His final employment was as a civil servant at Ft Bliss. He gained active duty status during the Korean War due to the fact that his commanding general deferred his papers in order for Dad to serve as one of his chefs. Dad perfected his trade and business sense and eventually Mom and Dad owned and operated The Palmera Café. It wasn’t easy but they both worked tirelessly day after day until Mom became ill and he retired from actively working at the restaurant. Dad was never pretentious and believed that hard earned money should be spent frugally. He did however enjoy traveling the world with Mom and would have continued if he had his partner and their health would have allowed.

Dad was preceded in death by Mom (Maria) in 2014, his grandchildren Noemi Ornelas, Robert Fernandez and Paul Ornelas, his parents Zacarias and Calixta Ornelas, sisters Enedina, Beatriz, Juana, Trini, Feliciana, Angela, and his brother Eusebio.

Dad is survived by his children Jose Luis (Christina), Enrique (Rebecca), Ricardo (Alejandra), George (Lety), Margarita (Dale) Fernandez, Clara (Tony) Khoury, grandchildren: Joseph (Nicole), Phillip (Rebecca), Julie, Jackie (Jason), Patrick, Michelle (Victor), Valerie (Aaron), Vanessa (George), Richard, Veronica (Andrew), Eric (Stacey), Claudia, Marissa, Daniel (Roxann), Sarah, Anthony, Dominique (Richard), Zachary, Annette (Andres), Estefano, George and Monique and great-grandchildren: Arabella, Emma Lisa, Luke, Nicholas, Sammy, Olivia, AJ, Avellina, Cameron, Andrea, Johnathon, Conner, Caleb, Layla, Noah, Jonas, Julian, Stella and one on the way. Also survived by sisters, Isabel (Calvin) Culbreath, Amalia Andrade, Beatriz Ornelas-Garcia and many nieces and nephews and other family members.

Thank you Dear God for granting those of us present in his final moments to look in to his eyes and hear his voice! Dad, Grandpa we love you! We will continue to work hard like you taught us. Rest in peace.

The great chef has gone to the big kitchen in the sky!

Services for Jose S. Ornelas will be from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm Sunday, October 16, 2016 at Martin Funeral Home Central with the recitation of the Rosary at 7:00 pm. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 9:30 am on Monday, October 17, 2016 at Our Lady of Assumption Catholic Church. Rite of committal will follow at Evergreen East Cemetery. Services directed by Funeraria Del Angel (Martin Central).