Javier Ortega was born on September 6, 1932, in Clarkdale Arizona to Maxine & Antonio Ortega. He is the last of his family which included his brothers, baby Joaquin Ortega (the first,) Joe Ortega, Jesse Ortega, Joaquin Ortega (the 2nd), Joel Ortega, and Cruz Ortega as well as his sisters Mary, Anna, and Carmen. They lived in Patio Park, a labor camp for one of the copper mines his father Antonio worked in. They also lived in Flagstaff. They left Arizona for Oxnard California where they worked in the fields and attended mass at the mission there. They then headed north to Pinedale, Ca where Grandma Ortega’s brother, Uncle Carne lived. From there, they eventually moved to Angus near Downtown Fresno where the family became parishioners at St Johns. Dad attended Longfellow Junior High and went to Roosevelt High for a brief time but quit because he did not make the cut for the football team due to his height. He got angry, so he quit. His mother and grandmother told him if he is going to quit, he must join the service. His grandmother encouraged him to join the United States Marine Corp. So, in 1953, he joined the USMC. His duty took him to Japan & Korea where he worked as an aviation mechanic, preparing the planes for combat missions. His air wing was VMF 311, Marine Fighter Squadron 311 which is the same squadron the famous baseball player Ted Williams and Astronauts John Glenn and Neil Armstrong where a part of. If you ever had a chat with Jay, then I am sure he mentioned that. He was immensely proud of his service with the Marines and that squadron. Once he parted ways with the Marine Crop, he was back in Fresno where he lived next door to a beautiful little beautician named Cecilia Barrios of Hanford. They dated, married, and produced their family of 6 kids. The first was Linda, then Rose, a son Javier Jr, Delores, Andrew, and Robert. He went back to school and got his HS Diploma and continued his education at Fresno City College where he received his certificate as a journeyman diesel mechanic. He worked and was sought after for his expertise for over 30 years. Jay loved the outdoors and loved to fish with his brothers and kids. They would go hunting and Jay would take the family on outings multiple times a year with his brother Joel and his family. He spent a lot of time at Pismo camping with his wife’s cousin Chris and her husband David Mata and their 6 kids. Jay went panning for gold, flew kites in the country, and had Sunday picnics after church with Grandma Ortega. They collected pop bottles in the foothills and with his kids and mother. He would take the family to Hanford to see Cecilia’s parents, Mom & Pop Barrios. Jay also took his family to the races at Kearney Bowl on Friday nights. One of his favorite drivers was Al Pombo who he would later work for and retire from his career as a diesel mechanic. Also Fridays consisted of Jay’s City League Baseball games where he was a pitcher. Years later, after all the kids grew up and moved out Jay & Cecilia both retired and became volunteers for the Nazareth House where they called bingo and helped entertain the residents. After his wife’s passing, he continued volunteering until the pandemic. He was recognized for over 30 years of service at Nazareth House & was also an usher at St Johns for many years. In 2016 he also was able to participate in the Central Valley Honor Flight where he flew to Washington DC and visited the war memorials and was honored for his service. That was a great moment for him. He was also a member of Edison Social Club, a Lifetime member of the VFW Post 8900, and the Portuguese ….
He enjoyed watching his grandkids grow up and achieve their education at various Universities and meet his great grandchildren. He was always about family first and took immense pride in any one of his family’s achievements. Education was especially important to him as well. He was preceded in death, by his wife Cecilia, son Andrew and son Javier Ortega Jr. He is survived by his eldest daughter Linda Ortega-Renovato, daughter Rose Ortega Robertson, daughter Delores Herrada and son Robert Ortega. Plus 13 Grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. The one thing he really wanted to do when he got out of the hospital was go to Morro Bay and have some fish & chips. If you make it to the coast have some fish & chips to remember him by.
