Joseph Ornelas

JOSEPH ORNELAS Joseph Edward Orenelas, 81, of Las Vegas, passed away March 21, 2012. He was a U.S. Army veteran, having served in the Korean War. He was born March 19, 1931, in Brighton, Colo., and was a 53-year resident of Nevada. Joseph survived a tour of duty with the U.S. Army, during the Korean War, and was posted briefly at the DMZ. He went on to retired with the U.S. civil service at Nellis Air Force Base. Joseph loved cars, particularly his mustangs of which he had several over the years. A man never known to drive anything newer than a 1966 version of the same, one of which is still in his driveway today. A stranger to no one, he was friendly and outgoing, never judged a book by its cover, and was willing to talk to anyone who was willing to listen. He was known as "Papa Joe", by many not even related to him. Joseph was preceded in death by three grandsons, Anthony A. Ornelas, Jason D. Ornelas, and Heath G. Walton; brothers, Alex, D.J., Henry, Abe, Eddie, Frank, and Paul. Joseph is survived by his wife, of 61 years, Juanita; brother, Silviano; sons, Joseph, Anthony, and David of Las Vegas, Terry of Oklahoma City; daughters, Patricia Watts, Karen Wade and Carol Watts of Las Vegas; 32 grandchildren; 65 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great-grandchild. Visitation will be from noon-7:00 p.m., Tuesday March 27, at Palm Mortuary, 1325 North Main St., Las Vegas. Services will be Wednesday March 28, at 11 a.m., at St. Christopher Catholic Church, 1840 Bruce St., North Las Vegas, with burial at approximately 1:20 p.m., following services, at Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 1900 Buchanan, Boulder City. Joseph was a kind soul that will greatly be missed by all that knew him.