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ORTEGA -- Clemente Ortega, 93, passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by his family on Wednesday, August 19, 2009. Clemente was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and great-great-grandfather. He was born in Montoya, NM on April 19, 1916 to Clemente and Paublita Ortega. He is survived by his loving wife, Adela Ortega, of 71 years; his daughter, Paulette Sanchez; sons, Barney, Clemente and wife, Lupe, Tom and wife, Bessie, Rick and wife, Diane; and sisters, Fidelia Ortega from Portland, OR, and Elizabeth Briggs from Cobbs, CA. He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Diana May; and son, James Ortega. He has 25 grandchildren, 44 great-grandchildren, and eight great-great-grandchildren, as well as multiple nieces and nephews. Clemente graduated from Tucumcari High School in 1935 where he played varsity football. He lived through the Great Depression and experienced the Dust Bowl. Clemente worked for the Defense Department in California in 1942 and returned to New Mexico to complete work on the Conchas Dam. In 1945 he was drafted into the United States Army and he moved his family to Albuquerque in 1946 where he was a resident of the north valley for 60 years. In 1950 he went to work for Kirtland Air Force Base and had a 32 year career with the United States government. He was a man of incredible strength and endurance; he set a wonderful example of love, faith, and family. He was as big in spirit as he was in body and will live on in the hearts of his family forever. A Rosary will be recited Friday, August 21, 2009, 7:00 p.m., at French Mortuary, Lomas Blvd. Chapel, with visitation starting one hour prior. Mass will be celebrated Saturday, August 22, 2009, 10:30 a.m., at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 619 Copper NW. Interment will take place Tuesday, August 25, 2009, 10:30 a.m., at Santa Fe National Cemetery. Pallbearers will be his grandsons Denny May, John Sanchez, Tom Ortega Jr., David Ortega, Adam Ortega, and Rohn Sanchez. Honorary pallbearers will be Vincent Ortega, Joseph Ortega, Gabriel Ortega, and Aaron Ortega. Please visit our online guestbook for Clemente at www.RememberTheirStory.com. French 10500 Lomas Blvd. NE (505) 275-3500
        Published on: Sat August 22, 2009