Vincent P. Ornelas

Vicente P. Ornelas (Chente) was born November 9, 1931, and
passed away on Monday February 5, 2024, at the age of 92.
Chente was born in Somerton, Arizona. Growing up his family
lived in Burrotown, and he attended Somerton Grammar
School. In 1949 he married Antonia Alvarez. He and his wife
were lifelong parish members of the Somerton Immaculate
Heart of Mary Catholic Church. In 1961, Chente moved his
young family from Burrotown to 29 E. Spring Somerton,
where he lived for the remainder of his life.

At a young age, Chente began his career in agriculture,
picking cotton, citrus, grapes, peaches, cantaloupes and other
fruits and vegetables, in Arizona and California. Later in life,
he worked as a truck driver transporting lettuce and also
served as a cantaloupe packing shed supervisor for FH Hough
Company until his retirement. Chente was a hard-working,
family man who loved music and going to fiestas, parties and
dances, and of course, he enjoyed sharing a drink of beer or
whiskey with his family and friends. He was also a surprisingly
accomplished harmonica player who could play any tune, old
or new, upon request. We will truly miss his lively spirit and
fun nature.

He was preceded in death by his wife Antonia Ornelas, his
parents Vicente and Cuca Ornelas, two brothers and five
sisters. He is survived by his four children Vincent Ornelas III
(Melinda), Charles Ornelas (Connie), Ruth Ornelas and Louie
Ornelas, two sisters Sarah Garcia and Rosemary Ornelas, as well as 10 grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren, 9 great-
great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

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