JESUS MANUEL ORNELAS, SFC ARMY RETIRED
December 7th, 1947 - March 24th, 2010

Manuel was beautifully sent off with 3 rifle volleys and Taps from the Bugler. The flag was folded with the military's choreography and delivered to my mom. Two additional flags were presented to Manuel's two daughters, Janey and Jessica. Even more, as the burial ended, Rick Ruiz, who beautifully played guitar and sang during the mass, sang one of Manuel's favorites, "El Rey".

Click here for more on his ribbons and metals.

Manuel enlisted into the Army in 1968 at the age of 20 and subsequently went to Vietnam from 1969-70.

Click here for more pictures from Vietnam.

His out of country services included a tour in Germany in 1973, Korea in 1977, Panama in 1983-84 (he told us he was actually doing "exercises" in Columbia), El Salvador in 1986, and not listed in his DD-214 was his unofficial tour in Nicaragua in 1986. This of course, was during the Iran-Contra affair. His assignments in the U.S. included Ft. Eustis, VA., Ft. Gordon, GA., Ft. Benjamin, IN., and Ft. Bliss, TX. He retired from the Army on March 1st, 1989.

The picture below is of my uncle with boxer Roberto Duran, known as "Manos De Pierdra". It was taken in a pool hall in Panama.

His scar, which became more prominent as he aged, was actually a result of a childhood accident.

In the picture below, we had joined a trail ride for about 30 miles or so around Eagle Pass. The group, out of Houston, was doing a trail ride across Texas.

He loved hunting and fishing. It had been several years since he had gone hunting but this past Thanksgiving, which he spent with us in Alpine, was cut short because he was going to hunt deer. As I was growing up, I drove with him many times between Alpine and Presidio, he would always stop somewhere around Shafter and pull out his binoculars and bet me he could find a deer laying under a bush, he never lost.

Click here for more on his ribbons and metals.

3.25.10. My uncle, my friend, who was more like my brother, has been called to the heavens by our Lord. He passed away last night at his home in Presidio. He was a proud Vietnam veteran with the 1st Infantry Division, The Big Red One. When I attended AHS during the 80's, he served as Army Recruiter for this area and would fly in and land a couple of Hueys in our school parking lot. The whole school would exit to the parking lot where he would make his pitch. This happened at many of the area schools. He would also have M1 tanks as well as Armored Personnel Carriers trucked in as part of these shows. He absolutely loved the Army.

Click here to see more pictures in uniform.

I feel so lucky to have been his nephew. We did things together that I couldn't possible write here for fear it would give my parents a heart attack. For years we even worked together at Alvarado's Cattle Company, well, because of him I couldn't even call it work.

He also worked as the Veteran's Service Officer for Presidio Country and would also substitute teach at the Presidio schools. He really loved helping people. If you were pulled over the side of the highway, you could bet he was going to stop to make sure you were all right. He also had the biggest driving wave, you know, most of us barely lift a finger when we pass each other on the road, but he would be singing or whistling along and his whole hand would come up and wave at you, if you didn't know him, you would definitely take a second look.

Manuel was an escort for Miss Texas, Courtney Ann Gibbs, the 1988 winner of the Miss USA pageant held and televised that year in El Paso, Texas.

This pictures above and below are of his son Mario. He was very proud to see him in uniform.

There are so many pictures, it's not possible to show them all, but, follow the link below to see more pictures with family and friends.Click here - family pictures.