Odell, William Albert
William Albert Odell age
61 of Red River, NM.died in Red River, NM. April 8,1968. He
is survived by his wife
Laura; Sons Ed, Bob and John Odell; Sisters Mary Stroup,
Mabel Strousse, Edith
Matlock and Lois Mathison, Taos News May 2,1968 B 7.
Contributed by Alberto
Vidaurre.
Oldani, Danny Joe
September 13, 2006 Danny
Joe Oldani, 61, of Taos, New Mexico, formerly of Herrin, IL,
passed away Wednesday,
September 13, 2006 at his residence in Taos, New Mexico. Mr.
Oldani was a Business
Consultant for obtaining funding for Cancer Center's
throughout the world.
Danny traveled extensively throughout the world, to areas
such as the Manila, Philippines,
where he lived for awhile and to New Dehli, India., London,
England and Italy. He
served as the CEO for Georgetown University Hospital in
Washington, DC, and as the
Administrator for the University of Texas Medical Branch in
Galveston, TX. He was of the
catholic faith and attended OLMC St. Mary's Grade School and
Herrin High School and
Murray State University at Murray, KY He was born April 3,
1945 in Herrin, IL to Guido
Joseph and Sarah Elizabeth (Cantrell) Oldani. Surviving are,
three daughters, Stephanie
Michelle Oldani of Carterville, IL, Leslie J. Oldani-Benner
of New Bedford, MA, Kelly
J. Sealy of Herrin, IL; five grandchildren, Patrick A.
Oldani of Herrin, Amanda J. Smith of Herrin, Aaron J. Sealy of Herrin,
Daniel Edward Benner of New Bedford, MA, Kathryn S. Benner of New Bedford, MA;
brother, Michael Oldani of Iowa, nieces and nephew and an honorary grandchild,
"Pretty", Stephanie's English Bulldog. He was preceded in death by his parents.
Olguin, Cleofes de
Cleofes de Olguin age 39
years, 6 months and 2 days of Conejos, Colo. died in Monte Vista, Colo. 12 Sept 1909 ant 7:00 AM.
Survived by husband Manuel Olguin. La Revista De Taos newspaper. Contributed by
Alberto Vidaurre.
Olguin, Manuel Philip
Albuquerque Journal, May
24, 1998 Manuel Philip Olguin, 83, passed away peacefully on
Friday, May 22, 1998, at
home in Albuquerque. Mr. Olguin was born on August 23, 1914
in Albuquerque, where he
lived most of his life. From the University of New Mexico,
he received his B.A. in
Math and Science (1939), and his M.A. in School
Administration and Statistics
(1954). He completed additional graduate studies under Naval
Cognizance at Texas A
Treasure Island Naval, M.I.T., and Princeton University
(specializing in Elementary
Electricity and Radio Material, Ship to Shore Radar, Loran
Studies, and Development
and Propagation Theory). Mr. Olguin also took Doctoral
Studies at Colorado
State Teachers' College in Greeley, CO, where he majored in
School Administration
and Higher Learning. He devoted more than 40 years to New
Mexico education. He was
a high school instructor at Taos, Los Lunas, and Albuquerque
public schools; and
engineering recorder and aide for the Emergency War-Mapping
Project at the U.S.
Department of Agriculture's Forest Service; spent four years
in naval service during
World War II where he resigned as Lieutenant (J.G.)
Electronic Specialist; a college
instructor at the University of Albuquerque (College of St.
Joseph); high school principal
at Bernalillo High School; a special agent for Business
Men's Assurance; Superintendent
of Schools, Bernalillo Board of Education; Researcher for
the National Science
Foundation Radiation Biology Institute, UNM; engineering
researcher at the Atomic
Energy Commission, Sandia Corporation; group leader for the
National Education Association
Overseas Teach Corps through the Agency for International
Development (posts in
the Dominican Republic as Associate Professor⁄Educational
Specialist in Science,
and San Salvador as Science and Curriculum Advisor); Head of
the Math and Physical
Science Department at Rio Grande High School; Assistant
Director of Employee Services,
as well as Director of Employee-Services for Albuquerque
Public Schools; and before
retiring in 1994, as Consultant for Retiree and Elderly
Benefits for the New Mexico Educators Federal Credit Union. Mr. Olguin was
a member of the New Mexico School Administrators Association, Board of Directors
of the Albuquerque Public Schools Federal Credit Union, Phi Delta Kappa
(education honorary), Kappa Mu Epsilon (mathematics honorary), Phi Kappa Phi (freshman
honor roll), Governing Board of the Albuquerque Technical Vocational Institute, New
Mexico Association of Educational Retirees, Albuquerque Association of Educational
Retirees, and the American Legion. He was a model of sacrifice and caring and will
be gratefully missed by his loving family. He is survived by his beloved wife of 53
years, Angela (Lisha), retired principal of Raymond Gabaldon Elementary School in Los
Lunas; children, Carol Olguin Ochoa and husband, William of Mexico City, Jane Olguin
Hruska and husband, Lee of Annapolis, MD, John Olguin and wife, Linda of Rockville,
MD, Lawrence Olguin and wife, Sheila of Richland, WA, Margaret Olguin Abbate and
husband, James of Denver, CO, and Ann Olguin Weatherson and husband, James of
Grapevine, TX; 11 grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. He was preceded in
death by his eldest Hita, Alicia Olguin Robinson. Rosary will be recited Monday, 7:00
p.m., at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, 1818 Coal Place SE. Funeral Mass will be
celebrated Tuesday, 9:30 a.m., at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church. Private
interment will follow at the Santa Fe National Cemetery. Pallbearers will be his
sons, John and Larry Olguin; and sons-in-law, William Ochoa, Lee Hruska, James Abbate and
James Weatherson. French Mortuary, 1111 University Blvd. NE.
Olguin, Mary Baca
Mary Baca Olguín, 86, of
Taos passed away on November 07, 2006. She is preceded in death by her husband, Ben Olguín,
parents, Jose Adela Baca, brothers, Leopoldo, Alfonso, Ruben and Alex. She is
survived by her sisters and brother, Emma Baca Zamora (Estevan) of Albuquerque, Joe Baca of
Santa Fe, and Erlinda Armijo of Albuquerque and many other relatives. Rosary was
recited on November 9, 2006. Funeral mass was held on November 10, 2006. Both services
were held at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church. Interment was held at Las
Cruces Cemetery in Taos. Arrangements by Rivera-Hanlon Funeral Home.
www.riverafuneralhome.com
Olivas, Ana Maria Martinez
de
Ana Maria Martinez de
Olivas of Valdez, NM died 23 July 1906 at 5:30 PM. She died
of Hidropesia
(Dropsy-Edema). Children surviving her sons Guadalupe C.
Olivas, Dosito Olivas
Granddaughter who cared for her Teofila M. de Olivas,
Delfina C. de Espinosa, Fidelia
Olivas de Coca, Santos de Olivas y Benita Duran Olivas. La
Revista De Taos newspaper.
Contributed by Alberto Vidaurre.
Olivas, Fabiola
Fabiola "Fabby" Olivas,
81, a resident of Albuquerque since 1953, died Monday,
August 6, 2001. She is
survived by her husband, Olivar"Jiggs" Olivas of
Albuquerque; brothers, Felix
Vargas and wife, Eduvigen, Ernest Vargas and wife, Corina,
and Henry Vargas, all of
Taos, NM and Robert Vargas of Moriarty; sister, Amy Crites
and husband, Larry of Las Vegas, NV; brother-in-law, Roberto M. Martinez
of Taos; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her
parents; one brother, and one sister. Fabiola was a member of Queen of Heaven
Catholic Church. Rosary will be recited Wednesday, 7:00 p.m., at Queen of Heaven Catholic
Church, 5310 Claremont NE. Mass will be celebrated Thursday, 10:00 a.m., at
Queen of Heaven Catholic Church, 5310 Claremont NE, with a reception immediately
following at the church. Interment will take place at 2:30 p.m., at Santa Fe National Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to American Cancer Society, 5800 Lomas
NE, 87110, Attn: Carla Ramirez. French Mortuary, 1111 University Blvd. NE.
ABQJournal August 08, 2001
O'Malley, James E.
James E. O'Malley passed
away peacefully at his home, Saturday, May 22, 1999. He is survived by his beloved wife of 55
years, Christine; daughter, Caryn; sons, Martin, John and Brian, all of Albuquerque; and
son, Michael of Taos. Other family members include daughters-in-law, Linda, Karen and
Michaela O'Malley of Albuquerque, Sarah Adams of Taos; and son-in-law, Ted Barre of
Albuquerque. James was also blessed with seven loving grandchildren, Colin and
Lieutenant Derek O'Malley, Kenneth O'Malley, Ryan and Sean Barre, and Shane and Erin
O'Malley. Following 20 years of dedicated service, James retired as a decorated
Lieutenant Colonel from the United States Army. He brought his family to Albuquerque in
1962 where he became coordinator of the"Executive Association of Greater Albuquerque",
until his retirement in June of 1981. James and Christine loved traveling together,
making several trips to Europe, South America, Hawaii and Canada. James was a devoted
husband and family man with a deep Catholic faith and a longstanding member of John
XXIII Catholic Parish. Rosary will be recited Tuesday, 7:00 p.m., at French Mortuary, 7121
Wyoming Blvd. NE. Mass will be celebrated Wednesday, 10:00 a.m., at John XXIII
Catholic Community, 4831 Tramway Ridge Dr. NE. Interment will follow at Santa Fe
National Cemetery. French Mortuary, 7121 Wyoming Blvd. NE. ABQ Journal
May 25, 1999
Olonia, Clarence Anthony
Clarence Anthony Olonia,
age 58, passed away on Sunday, November 15, 2009. He is survived by daughters, Malina Olonia
and boyfriend Eric Romero, Rebecca Olonia Eilts and husband Matt Eilts; and son Joseph
Olonia, fiance Sara Henson; and granddaughter Ava Olonia. He is also survived by
sister Mercy Boyer and nieces Karen, Yvette, and Melissa. Clarence was born and lived
most of his life in Taos, NM, but was most recently an Albuquerque resident. He enjoyed
fishing and cooking, and was a skilled carpenter. Cremation has taken place and a
private service will be held on Tuesday, November 24, 2009. The family wishes to express
appreciation to all who have offered their condolences. ABQ Journal November 22, 2009
Olonia, Francisquita T.
Francisquita T. Olonia age
74 of Ranchos de Taos, NM. died in Pueblo, Colorado Nov 16,1968. She is survived by her sons
Mike, Flavio, Frank, Joe and Manuel Olonia. Daughters Mrs. Eligio Trujillo,
Mrs.Abencio Trujillo and Mrs. Corine Copas; Sister Mrs. Estevan Medina; Brother Tranquilino
Trujillo. Taos News Nov 28,1968 3. Contributed by Alberto Vidaurre.
Olonia, Virginia F.
Virginia F. Olonia, 92,
died April 25, 2010. She is survived by her son, Joseph T.
Olonia and wife Jane;
six grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren. Virginia
was preceded in death by her husband of 71 years Joe D. Olonia in 2007; and her daughter
Virginia Mae Robison 1998. Mrs. Olonia was a home visiting Nurse, working in Taos County
for several years and then Santa Fe after moving there in 1951 with her family. She and
her husband later moved to Albuquerque in 2000. Nannie was a devoted wife, mother,
grandmother and great grandmother. A memorial service will be Saturday, May 8, 2010,
1:00 p.m. at French Mortuary, 10500 Lomas Blvd NE. Please visit our online guestbook
for Virginia at RememberTheirStory.com French 10500 Lomas Blvd. NE (505) 275-3500
ABQ Journal May 02, 2010
Ortega, Alberto
Alberto Ortega age 78 of
Pina, NM. died at his residence 19 Nov 1907. He had suffered
for 6 months with
Hidropesia (Dropsy-Edema) until his death. La Revista De
Taos newspaper.
Contributed by Alberto Vidaurre.
Ortega, Corina
June 10, 2006 Corina
Ortega, 91, a life long resident and faithful member of St.
Anthony's Parish of Questa
passed away on June 10, 2006 at ST. Vincent's Hospital in Santa Fe. Mrs. Ortega was a active
member of the Carmelitas, Sacred Heart League, and the Peoples Eucharist League. She
is preceded in death by her parents, Jose Albino and Andrellita Rael, her husband,
Ruben Ortega, brothers Selimo, Honorio, J. Eli and Clarence Rael, two infant sons, and
one infant daughter. She is survived by her children, Jane Gonzales (Victor), Betty Sanchez
(Chris), Gabe Ortega all of Albuquerque, Elma Ortega, Loretta Ortega, Angela Chavez,
Reyna Gonzales (Daniel) all of Questa, 16 grandchildren and 24 great
grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister Nora
Galvez (Eric),
sisters-in-law, Cora and Adela Rael. Rosary was recited on
Monday, June 12, 2006.
Funeral mass was held on Tuesday, June 13, 2006. Both
services were held at St. Anthony Church in Questa. Interment was held at
San Pedro Cemetery.
Ortega, Isabelita
Isabelita Ortega of Taos
NM, wife of Doroteo Lucero and daughter of Estefana D.
Ortega died Tuesday 21
June 1906. La Revista De Taos newspaper. Contributed by
Alberto Vidaurre.
Ortega, Oligario
Oligario Ortega, 92, of
Amalia passed away on June 12, 2009. Mr. Ortega retired from
Taos County as a heavy
equipment operator and he was a WW II Army veteran who served in the European Theater. He was
preceded in death by his wife Donelia Ortega. He is survived by his sons Donald and
Ricky Ortega (Margie) both of Denver, daughters Miquela Griego (John) of Bernalillo,
Reyecita Ortega, of Denver, Louise Archuleta (Joseph) of Colorado Springs and
Dolores Lucero (Steve) of Amalia and two grandchildren that he raised Christie
Gurule (Gerald) of San Luis, and Donna Ortega of Colorado Springs. He is also survived
by brothers Fred Ortega and George Ortega (Cora Lee), sisters Alice Martinez
(Telesfor), Evangeline Leyba, Lillian Torres, fifteen grandchildren and seventeen
great-grandchildren. Evening service will be held on Tuesday, June 16, 2009 at 7 pm at
Abundant Life Christian Fellowship Church in Amalia. Funeral service will be held on
Wednesday, June 17, 2009 at 10 AM at Abundant Life Christian Fellowship Church with
interment to follow with full military honors at the Amalia
Cemetery.
Ortega, Tessie Rael
September 10, 2005 Tessie
Rael Ortega, 82, a lifelong resident of Questa passed away peacefully in her home with her family
on September 10, 2005. Mrs. Ortega attended Allison-James Presbyterian School and
graduated from Menaul High School in 1942. She received her Associates Degree in
Education at Highlands University and taught school for a brief time in the Questa
Schools. Mrs. Ortega was also a Foster Grandmother for many years in the Questa Elementary
Schools. Tessie was very active in the community her whole life and was Questa's First
Lady from 1970-1982. The Village of Questa has chosen to honor her contributions to
the community by flying the flags at half mast. Beside her family, she was most proud of her
accomplishment of authoring a book in 2003 at the age of 80 titled "Another Time In This
Place, La Vida, Culturia Y Historia de Questa". She was preceded in death by her husband
Max Ortega, Sr., daughter Betty Ortega and infant daughter Rosemary Ortega, parents J.P.
and Esther Rael and sister Maxine Martinez. She is survived by her children Esther
Garcia (Eugene), Max Ortega (Monica), Bobby Ortega (Andie) all of Questa and Julie
Lucero (Mark) of Albuquerque, grandchildren Myra Garcia of Denver, Kris Rodriguez
(Rick) of Ft. Beale Air Force Base, CA, Lori Archuleta (Juan) of Albuquerque, Mark Ortega
and, John Anthony Ortega of Questa, Robert Ortega, Jr., Dwayne Ortega and fiancé
Feliz Tafoya, Cassandra Ortega all of Questa, Adrian and Lauren Lucero both of
Albuquerque, Great-Grandchildren Caitlin Garcia of Denver, Megan and Marissa Archuleta of
Albuquerque, Kelsey and Nick Rodriguez of Ft. Beale, CA and Mikaela Ortega of
Questa. She is also survived by her brother John Rael (Duby), sister Elsie Piper (Ed) all of
Albuquerque, brother-in-law Tom Ortega (Olivia Cortez) of Questa, close extended
family members Ben, Elena, Sergio and Natalia Romero of Penasco as well as many
beloved nephews, nieces, and many close friends. She will also be missed by her many
close primos y primas, hijados y hijadas and by the many Foster grandchildren whom she
nurtured as a Foster Grandmother. A Rosary was recited September 12, at St. Anthony's
Church in Questa. The Funeral Mass was held on September 13, 2005 at St. Anthony's
Church with interment at El Pueblito Cemetery in Questa.
Ortiz, Alfonso
ALFONSO ORTIZ, 57,
professor of anthropology at U New Mexico, died January 28,
1997, at his home in Santa
Fe, NM. Born at San Juan Pueblo, NM, April 30, 1939,
Ortiz was raised at the
pueblo and graduated from high school in nearby Espanola. A
National Merit
Scholarship enabled him to complete a sociology BA at UNM
(1961). He attended Arizona
State U for a year, then earned his MA (1963) and PhD (1967)
in anthropology at U
Chicago. Ortiz taught at Pitzer College (1966-67) and
Princeton U (1967-74) before returning to UNM as a full professor
(1974). Best known in anthropology for The Tewa World: Space, Time, Being, and
Becoming in a Pueblo Society (1969) and his editing of New Perspectives on the Pueblos (1972)
and the two Southwest volumes (9, 10) of the Handbook of North American Indians
(1979, 1983), Ortiz was the author⁄editor of books and articles on American Indian
education, federal policy, history, oral narratives,
religion and worldview.
He advised committees on minority concerns for the Social
Science Research
Council, Ford Foundation and AAA, and served as a board
member for Cultural Survival,
Inc, Peabody Museum, Newberry Library and National Museum of
the American Indian.
Active in contemporary American Indian affairs throughout
his life, Ortiz rendered significant
service on the National Advisory Council of the National
Indian Youth Council and
Association on American Indian Affairs, of which he was
president (1973-88). He received
numerous awards for his work, notably a John Simon
Guggenheim fellowship (1975-76),
fellowship at Stanford U's Center for Advanced Study in the
Behavioral Sciences
(1977-78), and the prestigious MacArthur Foundation "genius"
grant (1982-87). Alfonso
Ortiz's presence at UNM was pervasive. Affable and
articulate, armed with an unfailing sense of humor, he was a
dedicated--and popular--teacher. He made friends easily, and all of his colleagues, at
UNM as elsewhere, suspect that they will not see his likes again. He is survived by
daughters Elena and Juliana, and son Nico. In accordance with his wishes, Alfonso Ortiz's body
was cremated and distributed on one of the Sacred Mountains near his native Pueblo of
San Juan. The Department of Anthropology, U New Mexico has set up a special fund in
his honor to help Native American students studying anthropology. Donations may be sent to
UNM Foundation⁄Alfonso Ortiz Memorial Fund, U of New Mexico Albuquerque, NM 87131.
(Marta Weigle and Keith Basso)
Ortiz, Frances F.
Frances F. Ortiz, 66,
passed away on August 10, 2002. She was born on December 15,
1935 in Taos, NM. She is
preceded in death by her son, Louis Ortiz; and survived by
her sons, Tito Ortiz,
Dennis Ortiz, Anthony Ortiz and Floyd Ortiz; daughters,
Isabel Ortiz and Yolanda
Baldwin, longtime companion Dudley Gardner, brothers; Leo
Gallegos of Loma Linda,
CA and Johnny Gallegos; sisters, Patricia Allison and Mary
Redner; five grandchildren;
and eight great-grandchildren. Frances will be deeply missed
by her loving family. A
Memorial Mass will be celebrated on Friday morning at the
Sacred Heart Catholic
Church at 10:00 a.m. Services are in the care of Garcia
Mortuary, 717 Stover Ave.
S.W. 243-5222. ABQ Journal August 15, 2002
Ortiz, Joseph Edwin
Joseph "Joe" Edwin Ortiz,
62, of Albuquerque and formerly of Taos, was born in Embudo, NM on January 24, 1944 to
E.B. Ofelia Ortiz. Joe was the fourth son and the seventh of eight children. He was
preceded in death by his parents and two nieces, Jane Ann Ortiz and Tammy Velasquez. He is
survived by his two daughters, Jolene (Brandon) and Vanessa (Martin), his brothers,
Orlando (Ruby), Art (Marilyn), Ted (Cecilia), and sisters, Sadie Knight, Lucille Olds
(Wally), Margaret Werner (Bob), Anna Marie Velásquez and his special friends,
Steve Sánchez and Tommy Velásquez, also know as his "bros". Joe was a Taos High School
graduate of 1962 and later graduated from the University of New Mexico. He loved the
outdoors and worked for the forest service for a while. He enjoyed camping, hiking, and
cutting firewood with his buddies. Joe was quiet but had a unique sense of humor. He
was well liked by everyone young and old. Joe worked at the family business, Granada
Furniture with his sister, Anna Marie. He became manager when she moved to Albuquerque,
then in the year 2000 he moved to Albuquerque also. He was a loving father to
both Jolene and Vanessa and was extremely proud of them. He enjoyed seeing
family at the Ortiz reunion in August of 2006. He was happy to have Jolene and Vanessa
beside him. Joe was loved and will be greatly missed. Rosary was recited on October 29,
2006. Funeral mass was held on October 30, 2006. Both services were held at Our Lady of
Guadalupe Catholic Church in Taos. Interment was held at Sierra Vista Cemetery.
Arrangements by Rivera- Hanlon Funeral Home. www.riverafuneralhome.com
Ortiz, Manuel
Manuel Ortiz age 2 months,
Of Arroyo Seco, NM, Son of Mr. Mrs. Paul Ortiz. died
Jan 2,1968 at Eagles
Nest, NM.Survivors are his Parents, Brother Movice Ortiz and
Grandparents Mr. Mrs.
Amalio Ortiz and Mrs. Melcor Duran. Taos News Jan 11,1968,
6. Contributed by
Alberto Vidaurre.
Ortiz, Mike
Mike Ortiz age 20 From
Taos, NM. died in a motor vehicle accident in Taos, NM. Last
Friday night. Surviving him
are his parents Mr. Mrs. San Ortiz and a sister Concha
Ortiz, Taos News Dec
26,1968 1. Contributed by Alberto Vidaurre.
Ortiz, Robert Louis
Robert Louis Ortiz, 64, of
Taos Pueblo, died Sept. 17, 2003, at his home. He was preceded in death by his sister, Marie
Damon; granddaughter, Alicia Weston; and parents, Joe and Julia Ortiz. He is
survived by his children, Robert L. Ortiz, Blenda L. Ortiz and Melinda Y. Ortiz, all of
Ignacio, Colo.; his sisters, Elizabeth Jiron of Taos, Marilyn Salazar of California, Rena
Richards (Kean) of Ignacio, Colo.; brother, Joseph L. Ortiz (Margaret) of Taos; five
grandchildren; and many other relatives. Funeral mass will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Indian
Baptist Church with burial to follow at Sierra Vista Cemetery. Memorial contributions in
Robert's name may be made to 5491 NDCBU, Taos, N.M., 87571. Arrangements by
Rivera-Hanlon Funeral Home. Journal North September 24, 2003
Ortiz, Santos
Santos Ortiz has been
sentenced by Silver City, NM District Court Judge Frank W. Parker to death, for having killed
Marcelo Galvan from Hachita Grant County NM, on the 8th day of Sept 1909. He admitted
killing Galvan and said it was at the request of and as a favor to Isabel Renteria who was
also found guilty. La Revista De Taos newspaper. Contributed by Alberto Vidaurre.
Otero, Rudolph F.
The day was long, the
burden I had borne seemed heavier than I could longer bear,
and then it lifted-but I
did not know some one had knelt in prayer. Had taken me to
God that very hour, and
asked the easing of the load, and He, in infinite
compassion, had stooped down
and taken it from me. Rudolph Fred Otero of Albuquerque
passed away on Sunday, December
8, 2002. He was born on November 5, 1920 in San Rafael,
Valencia County, NM to
his parents, the late Amado L. Otero and Premia Mirabal
Otero. He is survived by his
wife of 60 years, Fannie S. Otero and by his children,
Rosalie C. Otero, David L. Otero, his wife, Dorinda, all of Albuquerque
and Margaret Ann Otero-Keiser of Rio Rancho. Survivors also include three brothers,
Arthur L. Otero of San Francisco, CA; Amado E. Otero, his wife, Lala, of Albuquerque;
and Dan L. Otero of Phoenix, AZ and three sisters, Evangeline Otero Murphy of
Tucson, AZ; Margaret Otero Kunkel, her husband, Wayne, of Albuquerque and Ann
Otero C De Baca, her husband, Leroy, of Albuquerque. Rudy is also survived by
his beloved grandchildren: Michael Arthur and Carlos J. Otero and Andrea Ellen
Otero-Benoit all of Denver, CO; Jeffrey M. Naranjo of Española, Kevin J. Otero, Anna
Christina Yurcic, Jeremy F. Keiser and Derrick L. Keiser all of Albuquerque. Rudy's close-knit
family includes numerous nieces and nephews and his only surviving aunt, Viola
McBride, as well as his loving Godchildren and twelve great-grandchildren. Rudolph was
predeceased by his eldest son, Rudy Otero, Jr. in 1994 and by his brother, Robert Charles
Otero in 1996 as well as by his beloved parents-in-law, David and Teresina Struck of Taos, New
Mexico. Rudy was a faithful member of Risen Savior Catholic Community where he
loved and appreciated his many friends there and the very special Spanish choir at the
8:00 a.m. Mass. Rudy served in the U.S. Navy in the Pacific Theater during World War II.
He was awarded the Asiatic-Pacific and the Philippines Liberation Ribbons and the
Presidential Unit Citation. Upon his discharge from the service as a disabled veteran, he
went to work with the New Mexico State Labor Dept. where he served for 38 years as a
popular member of the management staff until his retirement. Among his hobbies were
hunting and fishing, and local and state politics where he actively campaigned for his
favorite candidates. Rudy was a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He served as
the State Commander and served three terms as Post 5610 Commander. He also held
other offices during his lifetime and received the VFW National Distinguished Service
Award three consecutive years. He attended veteran's conferences throughout the
country, including 26 consecutive years to Washington, D. C. lobbying Congress
for veterans' benefits. He was also a member of the Disabled American Veterans and the
AMVETS organizations, devoting untiring efforts to help with job training,
hospitalization, pension and assistance to families. Rudy
was Chairman of Jobs for
Veteran Chapter in Albuquerque. He was named All-American Commander in the VFW as well as NM
Veteran of the Year by the State Legislature and received numerous other awards for his
service. He also served on the Veterans' Service Commission under Governor Anaya. Rudy
was also a prominent civic individual, serving on independent committees for Better
Schools, chairman for such groups as March of Dimes, the Heart Fund, the hospital
fund drive, and the Governor's Committee for the Employment of the Physically
Handicapped. Rudy's lineage dates back to the Spanish Conquistadores through Territorial
Governor Miguel Otero and the legendary Lt. Col. Manuel Chavez of Civil War fame. His
father and grandfathers were prominent ranchers and legislators in New Mexico. Rudy
was a wonderful husband and father and a generous man that will be missed by all who
knew and loved him. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, December 10, 2002 and on Wednesday,
December 11, 2002 at 6:00 p.m. with a Rosary scheduled for 7:00 p.m. both evenings
at Sandia Funeral Care, 7601 Wyoming NE, Albuquerque, NM. A Funeral Mass will
be celebrated at Risen Savior Catholic Community, 7701 Wyoming NE at 9:00
a.m. on Thursday, December 12, 2002 with interment to follow at 12 noon at the
National Cemetery in Santa Fe, NM. Sandia Funeral Care 7601 Wyoming Blvd NE Albuquerque,
NM (505) 821-0010 ABQ Journal December 12, 2002
