GILBERTO CRISTOBAL ORDUNEZ, 80 years old, of "Old Picacho Village" Las Cruces, NM., passed away on Sunday, May 26, 2024, at his home surrounded by his loving wife and family. Gilberto was born in Las Cruces to Angel and Juanita Ordunez. He met and married the love of his life, Theresa, on July 4, 1963, and together they settled in "Tortugas Pueblo" with their six children. Gilberto and Theresa were married for 61 years and had many grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Gilberto served in the National Guard and enlisted in the Armed Forces on May 26, 1963. He was sent to Babenhausen, Germany where he served another four years until he was honorably discharged on June 9, 1967. He received many accolades and accomplishments during his military service. Gilberto was awarded the National Defense and Good Conduct Metals. He received Combat, Biological, and Radio-logical training and was an Operative Intel Assistant and Map Draftsman. He retired from Department of Defense, White Sands Missile Range, as a Building Inspector in 1996. Gilberto was a jack of all trades and during his lifetime he worked as a plumber, welder, and ultimately became a General Licensed Contractor in 2001.  He is deeply loved and will be missed.

He is survived by his loving wife Theresa Molina Ordunez; 2 sons Albert Ordunez (Esther); and Christopher Ordunez; 3 daughters, Rebeca Polanco (Joe), Sandra Meza (Victor,), and Cynthia Saenz (Victor); brother, Jose Ordunez (Dolores) and a sister, Susana Montes (Rogelio). Other survivors include 14 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and godchildren. He was preceded in death by his loving parents, Angel, and Juana Ordunez; a son, Gilbert "Moe" Ordunez Jr., and 3 sisters, Aurora Rivera, Margarita Pacheco, and Micaela Pacheco.

Visitation for Mr. Ordunez will begin at 10 AM Thursday, June 6, 2024, at the Shrine and Parish of Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, 3600 Parroquia Street in Tortugas, with the Prayer Vigil at 10:30 AM. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated immediately thereafter with the Reverend Valentine Jankowski, Celebrant.  His final resting place will be at The Tortugas Cemetery with Military Honors accorded by the United States Army Honor Guard and the Marine Corps League El Perro Diablo Detachment.

Serving as casket bearers will be Abel Garcia, Gilbert Ordunez III, Albert Ordunez Jr., Angel Ordunez, Santino Meza, and Christopher Joseph Ordunez. Honorary bearers are Joe Polanco, Victor Meza, and Victor Saenz.

Service arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Baca's Funeral Chapels of Las Cruces, 300 E. Boutz Road, 527-2222. Your exclusive provider for "Veterans and Family Memorial Care." For online condolences logon to www.bacasfuneralchapelslascruces.com