George Calderon Ochoa

George was born on November 10, 1941, in Morelia, Michoacan, Mexico. He was preceded in death by his mother, Josefina Ochoa/ his brother, Fernando Ochoa/ his daughter, Shannon Calderon Primeau/ the mother of his children, Shirley Bellew/ and his long-time companion, Iris Santos-Rivera.

George had a full life, he was 82 years old when he, as he would say, camino a Belen (walked to Bethlehem). He loved life, and lived the best he could.

In 1959, he graduated from Central High School in Oklahoma City. He married Shirley Ross in 1962, and together they had 4 children. They were married for 18 years and continued to remain good friends over the years.

George would face life, with serious, life and death, medical issues, that, because of his resilience he would live life how he wanted, but he would never fully overcome the complications of his health issues.

He always had a lot of good ideas for making a successful business, then he would set out to make it happen. Some of his endeavors did well, some did not. But it was always interesting. He was known as a mover and a shaker.

His children and his sister were at his side when he passed away. It was tranquil and smooth. Memories are priceless.

George is survived by his daughter, Jorgee Reyes and husband, Rayo; son, Mark Calderon; son, Ernest Calderon and wife Shannon Marie; grandchildren: Erika, Michael, Christina, Jonathan, Shamree and Sophia; he had 2 great grandbabies, Ruben and Alessandra; his sister, Irma Rangel and husband Al and his favorite sister-in-law, Audrey Ochoa.

A service to Celebrate Jorge's life will be 2:00 p.m., Thursday, March 28, 2024 at Chapel Hill Funeral Home, 8701 N.W. Expressway, Oklahoma City, OK 73162.

Jorgee's Spoken Words:

GEORGE (JORGE) CALDERON OCHOA

George Calderon Ochoa passed away very peacefully with family by his side on 3-14-24 at St. Anthony’s Hospital.

He was born on 11-10-1941 in Morelia, Michoacan, Mexico. He was preceded in death by his mother, Josefina Ochoa, his brother, Fernando Ochoa, his daughter, Shannon Calderon Primeau, the mother of his children, Shirley Bellew and his long-time companion: Iris Santos Rivera.

George arrived to Oklahoma from Mexico when he was a teenager. He graduated from Oklahoma City’s Central High School in 1959. Soon after graduating, he married Shirley Ross and they swiftly left Oklahoma and started their life in Los Angeles, California, where they would reside for the next 10 years. He worked as a machinist and for the Van de Kamps “cookie” factory. They would have 3 children while in California: Jorgee, Shannon and Mark. George became a Naturalized United States Citizen in 1971. It was after the 1972 earthquake of Los Angeles, George picked up his family and headed back to live in Oklahoma City. Ernest, the baby, was born in 1973.

George was carefree, he was spontaneous and spirited- it was truly a miracle he was allowed to be in our lives for so many years, for his chronic medical issues dominated the majority of his life from his early 40’s until he passed away. His livelihood would be a fine line of accomplishments that would inter-twine with severe illnesses and near-death experiences. It started when he was 42 years old and had a debilitating stroke. One-third of his brain was removed, he was paralyzed on the right side, lost his speech, couldn’t walk and had to relearn the basics, we should have lost him, but we didn’t. A few years later, he would have emergency surgery on an obstructed small bowel that had become gangrenous, it was critical, we should have lost him, but we didn’t. In his early 50’s, due to poor circulation (he was not diabetic), his right leg became gangrenous and was soon amputated below the knee- we could have lost him, but again we didn’t. He had to deal with epileptic seizures, hypertension, digestive issues, survived COVID twice, but most of all debilitating phantom leg pain.

George had so many incredible life accomplishments. His grand years were late 70’s to early 2000’s. He was an entrepreneur extraordinaire!

In the early years, he enjoyed coaching his son’s soccer team and led them to a well celebrated championship. He would become very vocal on the importance of higher education, of being bilingual, and of being proud of your heritage. He was an awesome cook, ran the kitchen flawlessly, he even did a weekly food demonstration segment on Channel 4 news. He took interest in the power of Oklahoma Hispanics; he was part of the team that started the first Mexican American Cultural Center. He would later open his very successful restaurant “Las Carnitas”, which Governor George Nigh would frequent often. He was an entertainment promoter, one of the first to bring Mexican musicians to OKC and have jam-packed concerts and dances at the downtown Myriad, this is when people really dressed up to go out. He brought Los Tigres del Norte to OKC for the very first time. In the mid 1980’s, without a doubt, he established the first Spanish Radio Station in the state of Oklahoma, at KZUE 1460am, where he coined the name “La Tremenda Radio Mexico”. He also started the first southside Spanish Movie Theater at the Yale in Capital Hill, and called it “Cine Mexico”, known for “ tres peliculas por 3 dolares”, it was very successful. Jorgee sold tickets, Shannon made tortas, Ernie sold the cokes and popcorn (he was 10), and Mark and Rayo ran the film projector- a true family business. Later in his life, he was most proud of his time working with longtime companion, Iris Santos-Rivera, where they served as advocates for OKC public school children when issues would arise, and they would represent.

George was initiated into the Oklahoma History Center Museum as part of the era of groundbreaking Hispanic leaders. He would be featured alongside his late daughter, Shannon Calderon Primeau and his son Mark Calderon, who were also featured for their own life successes. Ochoa was one of the early handful who helped influence OKC’s small Hispanic community - He really made a difference as one of the leaders that reshaped Hispanic society to what it is today.

But above all, he was totally devoted to his children- Always. The loss of his daughter, Shannon, in 2015, was a devasting, sad time in his life. George, today, will be laid to rest next to her in the Everlasting Garden at Chapel Hill.

Major medical issues would come in and out of his life. It was only a miracle we were blessed for so many years with him. In his senior years, his constant “phantom leg pain” would be extreme. It was a fierce, dominating pain- so severe, unrelentless, always there, at times unbearable. Also, dementia started to set in. After 13 years of living with Jorgee and her family, he would live at “The Lakes” in a safe, medical environment.

His favorite past-time would be Remington Park horse racing- he could stay all day with twenty dollars. He was well known there, had his friends and his own routine. He knew the bus route, would go daily, bet, socialize, and keep his mind active.

George had his last grand business endeavor when he sold his real estate, the Plaza Theater, and his other surrounding properties to the now thriving Lyric Theater, it was because of that sale, the current trendy PLAZA DISTRICT is a well-known successful business area on NW 16th street.

I am my Papa’s name’s sake. He said, my first baby will be named George, regardless of the gender. Here I am, Jorgee, my name that I’m proud to wear.

George is survived by his Daughter, Jorgee Reyes and husband Rayo. Son, Mark Calderon. Son, Ernest Calderon and wife Shannon Marie. Grandchildren: Erika, Michael, Christina, Jonathan, Shamree and Sophia. He had two great grandbabies, that he adored: Ruben and Alessandra. His sister: Irma Rangel and husband Al and his favorite sister-in-law: Audrey Ochoa.

He will be missed by many family, extended family and friends. His legacy reflects our heritage.

Our family would like to thank all here today for being a part of our healing process.

I would like to say a special thank you to my Tia Irma, who, at 88 years old, without a miss, would spend countless hours visiting my Papa, her only surviving brother, every day. She would keep his mind alert by talking about their childhood in Morelia, sing songs with him, take caldo and other yummy foods, or just spend time visiting. Tia Irma and I would laugh and cry together, as we saw his health decline, but overall, her mission was successful and complete, and we are incredibly appreciative.

Other special thanks go to: Dr. Stanley Pelofsky (who is now retired, but the best neurosurgeon there was) Dr. Kersey Winfree (who was his long time medical provider and friend) and finally, Pam Chapman ARNP and The Lakes staff.

Our family is grateful for Brother Mario Zamarron for officiating today and to the beautiful music of Mariachi Orgullo de America.