Obits Mar 9

Charlie Lucero, 81

Mr. Charlie Lucero, 81, of Portales, died Sunday, March 7, 2004, at Plains Regional Medical Center in Clovis.

He was born on Feb. 6, 1923, in Trementina, to Juliana and Gaspar Lucero.

He married Julia Urioste on Nov. 28, 1946, in Clovis. They moved to Portales in 1951. He worked as a body repairman at Benny Aday’s body shop in Portales and later as a mechanic at Riding Motor Co. Family members said he enjoyed gardening, playing the guitar and the harmonica, liked to dance and loved music. He was a member of St. Helen Catholic Church and the Los Abuelitos. He was also active in the Portales Senior Citizens, and participated in the Senior Olympics.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Ignacio Lucero and Bennie Lucero; a sister, Gabrielita Gomez; a great-granddaughter, Celena Lucero; two infant daughters, Evelina and Teresita Joan Lucero; and by his wife.

Survivors include five sons, Jake Lucero (and wife, Mary Lou) of Las Vegas, N.M., Benny Lucero (Beatrice) of Albuquerque, Jimmy Lucero (Mary) of Albuquerque, Henry Lucero (Elvia) of Portales, Charles Franklin Lucero (Chrissy) of Springfield, Ohio; three daughters, Frances Gonzales (John), Betty Salaz (Gino), all of Portales and Sadie Perea (Leroy) of Hobbs; a step-daughter, Margaret Segovia of Portales; 29 grandchildren; and 33 great-grandchildren.

Burial will be at Portales Cemetery.

Honorary pallbearers are Jake Jr., Mark, Chris, Henry Jr. and J.R. Lucero, Johnny Gonzales Jr., Gene John Salaz and Daniel Perea.

Arrangements are by Wheeler Mortuary of Portales.

Services are at 10 a.m. Saturday at Wheeler Mortuary Chapel in Portales.

Alvin R. Moore Jr., 57

Mr. Alvin R. Moore Jr., 57, of Melrose, died Saturday, March 6, 2004, at his home.

He was born on July 4, 1946, in Portales, to Macie and Alvin R. Moore.

He grew up in Portales and graduated from Portales High School in 1964. He served his country in the U.S. Army, and then returned to Portales, where he farmed. He established A-1 Fabricators, a full time welding business. In the late 1980’s he moved to Clovis and in the latter part of the 1990’s he moved to Melrose.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Survivors include three daughters, Cindy Hernandez, Geneva Vega (and husband, Juan) and Mandi Park (Jimmy), all of Portales; four step-sons, Vernon Parker (Shanna) of Vegita, Wade Parker (Sabrina) of Aztec, Malin Parker (Ursala) of Portales and Evan Parker (Amber) of Tennessee; 11 grandchildren; nine step-grandchildren; a step-great-grandchild; and Patricia Riley of Melrose.

Rick Wilcher will officiate the services.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, P. O. Box 1856, Clovis, NM 88101.

Arrangements are by Wheeler Mortuary of Portales.

Services are at 2 p.m. Saturday at Wheeler Mortuary Chapel in Portales.

Emily Ortiz, 79

Mrs. Emily Ortiz, 79, of Hobbs, died Sunday, March 7, 2004, at the Good Samaritan Home in Hobbs.

She was born on April 2, 1924, in Encino, to Sylviana and Jose Garcia.

She married Andres Ortiz in 1943, in Encino. They moved to Portales a year later. She moved to Hobbs two years ago. She worked as a housekeeper for various ladies in the community and for 17 years at Roosevelt General Hospital in Portales, retiring in 1992. Family members said she enjoyed cooking and caring for her grandchildren and especially liked to attend her grandson’s baseball games. She was a member of St. Helen Catholic Church.

She was preceded in death by her parents; three brothers, Pete, Joe D. and Bonifacio Garcia; two sisters, Juanita Martinez and Anita Lucero and by her husband, Andres Ortiz who died Nov. 4, 1962.

Survivors include a son, John Ortiz (and wife, Belinda) of Bosque Farms; three daughters, Josie Aranda (Don Herrera) of Hobbs, Nora Aranda of Hobbs and Lorraine Meza of Portales; 14 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; three sisters, Jean Pena of Portales, Isabelita Lorranaga of Moriarty and Rita Sanchez of Sena.

A rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. on Tuesday at St. Helen Catholic Church in Portales.

Father Tobin Hitt will officiate the services.

Burial will be at Portales Cemetery.

Pallbearers are Tommy, Rick, Mark and David Aranda, Jose and J.J. Soto, Andrew Ortiz and Jonathan Meza.

Honorary pallbearers are Kathy Aranda, Tonya Dominguez, Emily Aranda-Dominguez and Cody, Kim and Lindsey Ortiz.

Arrangements are by Wheeler Mortuary of Portales.

Services are at 11 a.m. Wednesday at St. Helen Catholic Church in Portales.