Samuel Ordoñez Jr.

It is with deep sorrow and cherished memories that the Ordonez family announces the passing of Samuel Ordonez Jr, a wonderful husband, adored father, and devoted brother of the proud Ordonez family, rooted in El Paso, Texas. Sam was born on Valentine’s Day, February 14, 1955, a fitting day for the unconditional love and full heart he provided to his family, friends, community, and life, his most defining character known to all he encountered. Sam was born to loving parents, Samuel and Ramona Ordonez, who provided the model for his true passion and dedication to the love of his life, Christina Ordonez, whom he worshiped for 46 years of marriage, embodying every vow for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health.

Sam’s pride and love of life was derived from his family with his beloved Christina, to include his children - son Vincent, and daughter Vanessa and son-in-law Ron, along with his grandchildren Ronald Maez, Selena Michalowski, Cruz Maez and Salvador Maez. Sam lives on through his wife and children, and through his siblings Cayetano, Baltazar, Emigdio, Bertha, Gilberto, Octavio, Ricardo, and David.

Sam was a self-made man, skilled with his hands. He built homes for his family, managed a successful renovation business, and loved crafting woodwork – creating heirlooms for his grandchildren or birdhouses for his wife. He was famous for his unbelievable success at casinos, and catching fish with his grandsons. Sam also demonstrated his commitment to his community in many ways, to include teaching life skills and Hispanic culture to high school youth while living in Grand Junction, Colorado, and his recent involvement and love for his new community in Dell City, Texas as a caring city councilman and employee of the water treatment company. Among his many memorable traits, his family will always remember his love of country and his people, and how he was always the life and contagious laugh of any party.

Although Sam’s spirit flew on January 8, 2024, he will live on in the stories his family recounts, in their honorific toasts with good tequila, and through his admiration and optimism for the beauty in every sunset and sunrise that brought the promise of a new day.