ORDUñEZ, Jesus (Jesse) Garcia

Wickenburg Funeral Home & Crematory, Wickenburg, Arizona Jesus Garcia Orduñez August 24, 1934 ~ September 27, 2012 Jesus " Jesse" Garcia-Orduñez, age 78, passed away September 27, 2012 at his home in Aguila, Arizona. Services are scheduled for Rosary on Monday, October 1, 2012 from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM at Wickenburg Funeral Home with a Funeral Mass being celebrated on Tuesday, October 2, 2012 at 10:00 AM at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church and interment following at Wickenburg Municipal Cemetery in Wickenburg. ~~~~~~~~~~ The Wickenburg Sun, Wickenburg, Arizona Wednesday, October 03, 2012 Jesse Garcia Ordunez, beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather passed away peacefully in his home in Aguila, Ariz., on Thursday, Sept. 27 at the age of 78. Jesse was born Aug. 24, 1934 in Torrance, Calif., to Jesus Castillo Ordunez and Francisca Lerma Garcia. He is preceded in death by his parents and his older sister Lucia Perez. Jesse is survived by Lupe, his wife, as well as his four children: Maria, Jesse, Sonia and Irma. He is also survived by his sisters Maria and Henriqueta. He has 13 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Though Jesse will be missed by those still here on Earth, it is his wish that we celebrate his life and cherish the memories of our brief time together, taking solace in the fact that they will see him soon. He was the third of four children and spent most of his childhood raised in Meoqui, Chihuahua. He returned to the United States when he was 17 years old and took residency in Santa Maria, Calif. Jesse married Lupe Moreno of Santa Maria in 1955. They spent their early years in California and eventually moved to Aguila in August 1957 where Jesse was employed by C. W. Englund Company of Salinas, Calif. Jesse’s primary job was Head Kitchen Manager for the Bracero Program, which supplied room and board for migrant workers within the United States. Jesse and Lupe purchased Lill’s Caf/ in 1966. With hard work and dedication, they managed the restaurant successfully for 30 years. In 1996, they sold the business and retired. Jesse was first and foremost a family man who loved to be around his own children and grandchildren. He amused those around him with his quick wit and sarcastic sense of humor. As for his hobbies, Jesse had two strong passions: cock fighting and gambling. After the loss of his eyesight, he regretfully put cock fighting behind him. Fortunately, he was still able to take off to Vegas and Laughlin as often as he could with his best friend Jim Barreras. Even after becoming partially blind, he still managed to gamble as often as he could, even if he could not read his scratcher or see his slot machine display. Services were held Tuesday (Oct. 2) at Saint Anthony’s Catholic Church in Wickenburg. Friends may offer online condolences at www.wickenburgfuneralhome.com Arrangements were made under the direction of Wickenburg Funeral Home.