The Rosary for Francisco “Eric” Ornelas, 31, of Portales, will be recited at 7:00 PM, Fri., Dec. 21, 2018 at St. Helen Catholic Church. The Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated by Fr. Charles Ugochukwu at 10:00 AM, Sat., Dec. 22, 2018 at St. Helen Catholic Church. Burial will follow in the Portales Cemetery with Joseph Ornelas, Raymond Martinez, Jeff Ortega, Marquz Taylor, Phoenix Russell, Bo Gabriel, Cruz Ontiveros, Garth Dodson, Ricky Ornelas and John Smith serving as pallbearers.
Eric was born Feb. 24, 1987 in Portales to the home of Carmen (Ortega) and Rodolfo Ornelas and died as the result of a trucking accident early on the morning of Dec. 18, 2018 near Vaughn, NM. Eric, known to his friends as “Flair,” was a 2005 graduate of Portales High School where he played shortstop for the baseball team. He went on to study business at Eastern New Mexico University for two years. He and his father established Next Generation Trucking, and Eric was very proud of the fact that he was his dad’s business partner. He enjoyed driving his big rig, as well as his Corvette and riding his Harley Davidson motorcycle. On Sept. 3, 2016, he was married to Desirie Urioste. He was devoted to his wife and two daughters, as well as the rest of his family and his many friends. He was a faithful member of St. Helen Catholic Church.
He is survived by his wife, Desirie and his two daughters, Salaya Joe and Lola Mae Ornelas of the family home; his parents, Carmen and Rudolfo Ornelas and his mother-in-law, Juanita Urioste all of Portales; his brother, Joseph Ornelas and his sister, Rudianna Ornelas; as well as countless other family member and many many friends.
