Cecilio "Charlie" Ortega

Cecilio “Charlie” Ortega

Charlie, a man with a mission. He wanted a better life. Growing up was a lesson on what he didn’t want to do with his life. At the young age of 7, his dad sent him to work on a sheep ranch. Charlie was to learn the ways of ranching and taking care of animals, sheep in particular. The ranch hand cook took care that he was not put in danger, and that he ate regular. While Charlie only worked in the summer, he remembered the kind cook and always talked about him. Later as he grew, his dad would send him to work in the fields, hoeing and picking cotton.

He was a young 17-year-old and the Army appealed to him. He joined with his parents’ permission, and he never regretted his decision. In the Army, Charlie got his education and his love for military life. He was always proud that he served.

Served in the U.S. Army in the 82nd Airborne Div. Ft Bragg, N.C.

11th Airborne Div. Germany

24th Airborne Brigade Germany

A Battery and HQ Battery 1st BN. 200th ADA, New Mexico National Guard

B Battery-120th AAA Gun BN.

Responsible for having the city to Adopt B CO. 1st BN 325th AIR (Airborne infantry Regiment) during Desert Shield.

Charlie is survived by his wife, Jinnie Ortega, 65 years married. Four sons, Michael Ortega and Birgit, Andrew Ortega, Rick Ortega, Julian Ortega and Angela.

Charlie is preceded in death by his son, Rueben Ortega, his parents, Susanna and Lonicio Ortega. His grandson Matthew Ortega; great-grandson Nico Ortega. Brothers; Louis, Raymond, Jessie. Sisters; Alice Ortega, Annie M. Ortega. Nephew, James Peedy Ortega.

Charlie joined the City of Roswell in the Office of the Building Inspector and worked there till transfer was made to the Sanitation dept. as the Assistant Director and Code Enforcement Officer. Upon the retirement of Frank Sedillo, he became Director until Medical Retirement in 1992. Items achieved as Director of the Sanitation Dept.

The only Dept to do PT in the morning before work.Original member of the Community Improvement Commission and the planning of the Spring River Corridor Walking and bike trail.Original member of Keep Roswell and America Beautiful, the Dept set up the original bins and trucks for Recycling.The first City in N.M. to recycle Xmas trees.As director of the Dept. was awarded the First ever Award of Merit given by Keep New Mexico Beautiful in 1991 for the beautification of the Sanitation yard.The implementation of the Automated Pickup System and the basic layout of the routes.The Landfill also received letters of commendation from the State E.I.D. office for having the cleanest landfill in our District 1988-1992.Ordered the 1st Grapple Truck in the state.

Survived by:

Son, Michael Ortega and Birgit, from Rio Rancho; grandchildren, Mikey, and Chris. Great-grandchildren; Juvian, Arralee, Jakobe, Jayce, Keaten, & Phoenix.

Son, Andrew Ortega of Roswell (Sonya Oropesa); grandchildren, Andrew II (Elena), Twyla, Starlarose. Great-grandchildren; Ty Ty, Genivieve, Eli, Xzekiel, Hazel, Liam, Ara. Great-great-grandchildren; Niko White.

Son, Rueben Ortega (deceased); granddaughter, Marina Ortega. Great-grandchildren, Zaraphina, Zephareya, Winola.

Son, Julian Ortega and Angela, of Broomfield, Colorado. Grandchildren, Elena, Jakob, Ortega – Larry Reynolds. Great-grandchildren, Braelynn, Britton.

Son, Richardo Ortega, of Roswell.

Brother-in-law, Tito Campos and Jane, Pauline and Bill Steadman, Lisa and Jose Hurtado, Tito and Louise Campos. Many nieces and nephews. And great-nieces and great-nephews. Missy Hoffman and Jim. Cheryl Ortega & Family, Sandra Ortega & Family, Stacy & Able Guerra, Savanna, Jewels, Ciera, Raymond Ortega, Chris Ortega. And there will be other family and friends to remember his legacy.

Charlie enjoyed camping, hunting, fishing, arrowhead hunting, Pecos Valley diamond and rock hunting.

One of his best friends was Jack Ross, State Archeologist, so Charlie was honored to learn from the best. Charlie could go out and get lucky finding and identifying pottery fragments, points and more. He hunted deer and taught his sons the hunt, the weapons & safety.

Charlie and Jinnie owned 3 different Travel Trailers while Charlie was able to maintain and handle all that was required, so we would always be ready for the road and our fishing trips.

Visitation will be at Ballard Funeral Home and Crematory, 910 S. Main St., Roswell, NM, on Thursday, March 5, 2026, from 1-5 pm. Rosary will be held at Assumption Catholic Church, 2808 N. Kentucky Ave., Roswell, NM, on Friday, March 6, 2026, at 2:00 pm. Mass will follow at 2:30 pm, following will be his burial at South Park Cemetery, 3101 S. Main St., Roswell, NM.

Dad you are now in the hands of God. As you leave this family on earth you will be reunited again with family in heaven. Dad, you earned your wings the hard way, “The Airborne Way”. Pops served proudly with 82nd and many other airborne Divisions. But now you will get your greatest wings of all from God. Dad, you inspired me to join the army, my damn self, right after high school. While at your bedside just for memory’s sake, I turned on some Airborne Cadence and that sparked something in you, Mom saw that you opened your eyes. Mom and I know you enjoyed hearing that. Dad had that Airborne spirit All the way till the end. We love you dad and you will definitely be missed but your legacy will continue on.

Your son, Michael