Obituary of Albert A Ortegon

Albert A. "Tunkie" Ortegon was born in Denver, Colorado-on August 17, 1936; to Paul and Leocodia Ortegon. He passed away peacefully on December 21, 2023, at his home in Denver, Colorado with his wife of 63 years, Evie, by his side.

Tunkie grew up in Denver's Frog Hollow neighborhood with his family and friends. He was a man of few words, and his exploits were legendary to those of us who were fortunate enough to hear those stories. He was well known for his penchant for avoiding school by any means necessary with his claim to fame being his appearance in a Rocky Mountain News newspaper article with a picture of him and his cohorts ditching school to float down the Platte River on a homemade raft. Legend has it that grandma was not pleased.

Higher education was not an option, so he decided to join the Marines. He always said the Marine Corp is where he became a man and anyone who knew hm, knew the kind of man he was, strong, loving, supportive and willing to do anything to help anyone who needed it. He entered as a teen and left a confident young man and Sergeant who took such pride in his military service, his uniform fit until his last day. Between my father's devotion and his brother Chris' generosity, I believe he had more Marine Corps paraphernalia than a PX.

A life-long athlete he played basketball, baseball and softball. He religiously worked - out daily at a variety of recreation centers throughout Denver and "jogged" around those same parks for variety; Sloan's Lake and Park being his favorite; rain, snow or sunshine. His last 5k race, he came in second place, right before his 80th birthday.

His love and respect for art, animals, music, movies, history and people was passed down to us by him one generation at a time. Tunkie was and will always be remembered as an amazing person; husband, father, brother, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, cousin, uncle and friend.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Leocodia Oregon, his brothers; Charles, Angleo, Dickie, Lee and Michael and his sisters; Rosemarie, Yvonne and Carmen.

He is survived by his wife Eva, his son Tobias, daughter Rosemarie, son - in - law Darren, grandchildren David, Dominique, Shauna and his great grandson Caleb and his brothers Christopher Ortegon, Timothy Estrada and Patrick Estrada as well as many beloved cousins, nephews, nieces and friends.

Handsome, strong, brave, proud, loving, an artist, an athlete and forever a Marine..... We will miss and love you always.

Semper Fi Daddy

Reception To Follow Internment Moose Lodge #21, 4688 w. Alameda Ave, Denver, CO. 80219 at 3:00pm