Passed Away On: July 23, 2021
The Ortega Family sadly announces the passing of Ruben M. Ortega peacefully at Good Samaritan Hospital in San Jose, California on Friday July 23, 2021 at the age of 92, surrounded by love and the light of God.
He was born in Chicago, Illinois and moved at very young age to Mexico with his Mother, sister and brothers. Returning to the United States in his teens, he began working for his brothers at their labor camps in Hollister.
Moving around and working various jobs including the California Forestry Dept., and California Prisons Systems. He settled in Hollister, California and began working at the company then known as Teledyne McCormick Selph for 25 years. Here he met and fell in love with his one true love Wilma “Mama May” Ortega. Working at the same company gave them extra time to be together. They were the favorite friends of many co-workers and everyone called them Papa and Mama May.
He enjoyed listening to all types of music especially Vincente Fernandez, Jazz and Mariachi. He loved to dance. Ruben was an avid fan of the Giants and 49ers.
Ruben had a home bar installed and spent many hours entertaining family and friends. He loved to tell stores of his past colorful life. He never met a stranger, and nobody ever went home sober. For many years, as his health permitted, he and May attended Saturday night Mass at Mission San Juan Bautista. Those in attendance, may recall the couple always seated at the back of the church on the bench by the door, that couple was Ruben and May.
He is survived by his wife of 41 years Wilma May Ortega of Hollister; daughter Jodi (Terry) Gutierrez of Hollister; Granddaughters, Taralyn (Dallas Jones) Gutierrez of Reno, Nevada; and Tessa Gutierrez of Hollister. Missing him will be his little dog Sugar and cat Miss Kitty.
Ruben is also survived by his children from a previous marriage: Jennie Lerma; Vera Delsid; Anita Altamirano; Maria Luisa Perez; Cesar Ortega; and Louie Ortega, including numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren. Loving in-laws and a host of long-time friends.
He is preceded in death were his brothers Joe Ortiz of San Francisco; Juventino Ortiz of Hollister; Paul Ortiz of Hollister; and Jesus Ortega of Santa Barbara; Son Robbie Ortega; and daughter Angie Ortega.
So when thinking of Ruben, please raise a glass and a fond remembrance to a loving and generous husband, father, grandfather and friend, he will be greatly missed.
Visitation/Viewing will be held on Monday August 2, 2021 from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Grunnagle-Ament-Nelson Funeral Home, Hollister, California.
Mass of Resurrection will be held Tuesday August 3, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. at the Old Mission San Juan Bautista, San Juan Bautista, California. Presided by Fr. Alberto Cabrera.
In-Lieu of flowers please send memorial donations in the name of Ruben M. Ortega to Old Mission San Juan Bautista.
Cards and letters can be sent to the Ruben Ortega Family c/o Grunnagle-Ament-Nelson Funeral Home, Hollister, California, 95023.
“We turn to you for protection,
Holy Mother of God
Listen to our prayers
And help us in our needs
Save us from every danger,
Glorious and blessed Virgin”