Demetrio Ortega

Our Dear Father, Demetrio Ortega, sadly passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family that he cherished on Thursday, March 20, 2025 at the age of 84. He was born in Peñasco, NM, and raised among the Sangre de Cristo Mountains that he loved. He married the love of his life Ruth L. Ortega on June 6, 1959.

Dad was preceded in death by, his mother Gabrielita O. Rael; father Manuel Quintana; sisters Juanita Ortega and Angelina ‘Angie’ Ortega; brothers, Damian ‘Valquin’ Gonzales and Henry Ortega; son-in-law Sammy J. Trujillo; in-laws Elizardo and Filomena Mascarenas; and many more relatives.

He is survived by the love of his life of 65 years, Ruth L. Ortega, his children Darlene C. Trujillo, Wilbert Ortega (Carol), Pastor Samuel Ortega (Nina), and Lorrie Ortega, Grandchildren, Desiree Visarraga (Alex), Adrian Martinez, Jared Martinez, Nathaniel Ortega, and Aaron Martinez, Great-grandchildren, James, Lexi, and Gabriel Visarraga, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Daddy was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather. He loved nature and cherished the time he spent enjoying the beautiful surroundings in which he was raised. He loved hiking, backpacking, camping, fishing, and hunting in the beautiful Northern New Mexico Mountains. He loved spending time with his family, and going on vacation traveling throughout the United States, and cruises. He was a self-taught musician, and loved playing hymns on his harmonica. He was always eager and willing to help others, especially us his children, with whatever we needed. Our father was treasured and respected for his wise advice, and guidance as our family counselor.

Not only was our Dad, a devoted family man, musician, counselor, but he was also a self-sacrificing provider for his family. We have many stories of when he would deny himself to please us. He was a diligent worker and always kept busy with his hands. This was seen in his chosen career path. Dad worked for the Uranium Mines in Grants, NM and retired from the Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) after 38 years of service. Dad contributed greatly to the work at LANL, and we are immensely proud of his accomplishments. As a Mechanical Technician, he contributed to the harnessing of solar power for laser fusion. He was responsible for machining the collector plates and intricate parts needed to harvest this energy source. His articles of achievement were displayed at the Los Alamos Museum. He was also featured in the Popular Mechanics Magazine and the Los Alamos Monitor Newspaper for his work at LANL.

Daddy was a religious man. He was a member of the 7th Day Adventist Church, and held the position as an Elder. He held a deep faith in God. He practiced kindness, generosity, and shared his belief in God with others. We often found our father walking alone, gazing at the sky, praying, praising our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Mere words cannot describe the JEWEL our father was to his family. A huge part of our hearts were broken on the day of our Daddy’s passing, but his memory and love will live on forever, until our Lord and Saviors return in the clouds of glory. We know that on that momentous day, Jesus will awaken him to eternal life once again, never to leave us.

1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 reads, “For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore, comfort one another with these words.”

The family would like to extend our thanks for the excellent care and services of Tammy, his nurse from Professional Case Management, the staff at Rust Presbyterian Hospital, Gentiva Hospice, Jessica, and the entire staff at the DeVargas Funeral Home.

Services will be held Monday, April 7, 2025, with the Visitation starting at 5:00 pm and Christian Service at 6:00 pm at DeVargas Funeral Home in Espanola, NM. 

The funeral service will be on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, at 11:00 am, at the DeVargas Funeral Home in Espanola, NM,  followed by burial at the San Pedro Cemetery located (School Road, Peñasco, NM 87553) next to the Jicarita School Gymnasium.

Pallbearers are Thomas Ortega, Garth Gonzales, Jerry Martinez, Jared Martinez, Donald Martinez, and Ernest Garcia. Honorary Pallbearers are: Adrian Martinez Aaron Martinez and Isaac Montoya.

The family of Demetrio Ortega has entrusted the care of their loved one to DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory of the beautiful Espanola Valley. www.devargasfuneral.com 505-747-7477.