John Ortega

John Ortega 71, entered into life as son of Samuel A. Ortega and Maria Josephina Gaines Ortega, May 31, 1947, and entered into rest August 13, 2018. Thus, he attained the age of 71 years, 2 months and 13 days. After graduating from Coachella Valley High School, Coachella, CA in 1965, John proudly served in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War. On the 13th day of September 1969 John Married the Love of His Life, Carolyn Henson. They were wed at Calvary Baptist Church in Denison, Texas. Perrin Air Force Base between Denison and Sherman was his station and where they resided until he was discharged in 1970. Following his honorable discharge from the United States Air Force he and Carolyn moved to Indio, CA. He began his education and graduated from College of the Desert, Palm Desert, CA, with two AA Degrees in Business Management and HVAC. In 1997 John was promoted within his company and He and Carolyn moved back to Texas. In 2006-2007 The children pulled up stakes and joined them. His wife and children still reside in Texas.
John and Carolyn were blessed with two beautiful children. Anthony and Lisa Ortega. John coached both of them. Lisa, while she played softball and Anthony during baseball. He not only coached his own children, he spent several years traveling to Cooperstown, New York for a week long tournament as an umpire for children ages, 9-12 years old.

Motivated by his Native American Heritage John was an accomplished artist. John's motivation led him to recreate beautifully embellished Native American flutes. Which is a musical instrument, traditional to many indigenous cultures of North America. Often called "the love flute" because of its potent, sweet quality, it was often used by young men in courting. Given his immense God-Given talent and proficiency it is explicable he would explore various mediums. While admiring his creations one could find intricately burned wood carvings. With his primary focus being portraits on Native American Tribal members, often images of rugged Cowboys sporting Stetsons and donning cowhide gloves would be added to his carvings. With amazing precision he created beautiful colored pencil drawings including but not limited to images from his ancestral culture of great Indian chiefs, scouts, runners, children, and wolves.

John is preceded in death by his father Samuel A. Ortega and Mother, Maria Josephina Gaines and brother; Sam Ortega Jr.
He is survived by his Wife Carolyn Henson Ortega, one son; Anthony Ortega and Wife, Perry Ann of Plano, one daughter; Lisa Christine Ortega of Grapevine, four grandchildren; Amaris Ortega Guido and Husband, Francisco Guido of Plano, Cason and Gabriel Ortega also of Plano and Ethan Ortega of Fort Benning, Georgia, four brothers; Richard (Dickie) and Wife, Shari of Gasquet, CA, Manuel (Manny) and Wife. April, of Lake Havasu, AZ, Andy of Indio, CA. and Edward (Eddie) and wife Cheryl of Coachella, CA. two sisters; Bertha Ortega of Indio, CA. and Emma Jones and Husband Gordon of San Tan Valley, AZ, along with several nieces and nephews and a host of other relatives and friends. There will be a Celebration of Life for John at Lucas Funeral Home in Grapevine, Texas. John will also receive full honors at the Dallas Fort Worth National Cemetery in Dallas, Texas. John's family will be having a Celebration of His Life on Saturday, August 25, 2018, from 6-8 pm at Lucas Funeral Home in Grapevine, Texas.