Isabro Ventura Ortega "Charro"

It is with heavy hearts that we must announce the loss of our beloved Truchas artist, woodcarver, carpenter, Penitente, brother, uncle, teacher and friend. Isabro Ventura Ortega “Charro”, 66, a native of Truchas, passed away in his home on Tuesday, August 14, 2018. Isabro was preceded in death by his parents, Juan Antonio and Estefanita Ortega; siblings, Esneda, Dolores, Martina, Lilian, Jake, Jose Benito and Juan Ortega and nephews, Gabriel, Danny and Rico. A simple, humble and joyful man, Isabro was born and raised in Truchas, New Mexico with a love for woodcarving and carpentry. He was a self-taught artist whose work has been sold to people all over the world. He proudly embraced the role of a teacher, introducing many children to woodworking as an art. He has been a featured artist in numerous magazine and newspaper articles including the New York Times, Sunset Magazine and most recently a 2018 article in New Mexico Magazine. Isabro was a man of faith. His mother told him he should be a priest, and maybe he was. A lifelong member of the Catholic Church and a stalwart member of the Penitente Brotherhood, his strong, beautiful voice and commanding presence offered comfort and faith to the faithful, the searching and the grieving. He swore off alcohol for the love of his work. His “masterpiece” was his home, which he built from the ground up and continued carving as well as listening to the music from the 1960’s, which was always playing in his house. Isabro said he wanted to “carve wood until the day he died,” and he did. “Just open the morada and pray me a rosary.” And we will. Isabro is survived by his niece and his angel, Lori; brother, Joe L. Ortega; sister, Carol and numerous nieces and nephews. A rosary will be recited on Tuesday, August 21, 2018 at 7:00 p.m. at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Truchas. Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, August 22, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. also at Holy Rosary Catholic Church. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the children’s program of the Truchas Services Center and La Cofraida de Nuestro Padre Jesus de Nazareno in Truchas. The family of Isabro Ventura Ortega “Charro” has entrusted the care of their loved one to the DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory of the Española Valley.

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