The Rosary for Cristobal “Chris” Ortega, 93, of Portales, will be recited at 9:00 AM, Wed., Oct. 3, 2018 at St. Helen Catholic Church, followed by the Mass of the Resurrection which will be celebrated at 10:00 AM by Fr. Charles Ugochukwu. Burial will follow in the Portales Cemetery with Norman Patterson, Norman Patterson, Jr., Edward Patterson, C. B. Velasquez, and Juan Dominguez serving as pallbearers.
Cristobal Ortega, known to family and friends alike as “Chris,” was born June 18, 1925 in Greeley, CO to the home of Antonia (Gutierrez) and Salomon Ortega, and died early on the morning of Sept. 29, 2018 at his home in Portales. Chris grew up in the Encino area, and as a young man began working for the railroad. On Oct. 1, 1949 in Clovis, he was married to Juliana Garcia. About 1950, they moved to Portales, and Chris worked first at Worley Mills. In 1960, he went to work at R.M. James School as the custodian. Chris retired after 25 years in 1985.
He and his wife enjoyed traveling and camping in their camper. They made frequent visits to their daughters, but also traveled to numerous other places. Chris always enjoyed doing yard work and having a beautiful yard. He was a great handyman, and liked repairing things for himself as well for others.
He is survived by three daughters and sons-in-law, Irene and Norman Patterson of Santa Fe, NM, Genevieve and Jim Velasquez of Albuquerque and Maria and Richard Hinkle of Las Vegas, NM; four grandchildren, Norman (Brenda) Patterson, Edward (Amanda) Patterson, C. B. Velasquez and Julie Thompson; 11 great-grandchildren; a brother, Orlando Ortega of Portales; and a sister, Mercedes Salas of Portales. He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, Salomon Ortega, Jr., Freddie Ortega and Charlie Ortega, a sister, Mary Apodaca, a grandson, Jimmy Velasquez, a great-grandson, Hunter Ryan Patterson and by his beloved wife, Julia, who died Mar. 17, 2004 after more than 54 years of marriage.
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