Tributes

ORTA Our beloved father, Jesse R, Orta 84 went to heaven on December 8, 2004. He was' born in Guanajuato, Mexico on January 19, 1920, the youngest to parents Francisco and Carmen R. Orta. Jesse's enthusiasms and loves were his family, his music, and golf. He was ecstatic when he made a whole-in-one several years ago. He and his wife, Josephine Orta, were the inaugural recipients of the Mariachi Vargas-Rueben Fuentes Pioneer Award for more than 35 years of dedicated community service in helping to develop mariachi music in San Antonio. They also received the Margil Award in recognition of broadening awareness of Mariachi Music in liturgical settings. Jesse and Josie were instrumental in the foundation and development of Mariachi Music Education in the archdiocesan parishes in San Antonio. The inception of the Mariachi Mass was a recording brought from Cuernavaca, Mexico by Sister Frances Jean who was urged by then, Bishop Flores, who is now our beloved Archbishop, to vigorously pursue unfolding this new venue of music in our liturgy. Inspired by Sister, Frances Jean, Orta took his family to Cuernavaca to listen to this music where he was both enchanted and committed to the development of liturgical mariachi music in San Antonio. Orta was the president of the Mariachi De Colores for 35 years. The Mariachi Mass has been played every Sunday at S1. Patrick's and San Jose Mission for the last 35 years with Orta at the helm. Popularity of this new music spread quickly and Jesse, who was a dynamic and charismatic leader, welcomed the interest by inviting anyone and everyone to get trained at St. Patrick's Church. Mariachi Music took root and was here to stay Orta owned and operated Quality Radio and T.V. Service for over 40 years. He loved all the genre of music. He had his own Big Band orchestra during the 50's 60's, and 70's. He then played Mariachi Music from 1969-2004. He was preceded in death by his daughter Doi-ddle Doi-ddle, Geraldine "Boo Boo" Orta-Charles, his wife, Josephine G. Orta, his brothers Baldomero D. Orta and Pedro Orta, and his sister, San Juana Orta. . . Orta is survived by his wife, Teresa Escamilla, sons, Major Jesse Orta Sacramento, CA, Oscar Orta, daughters, Patricia Fitzgibbons Arlington, TX, Carol Zuniga and Denise O'Neill Edwards AFB, CA, and their families. He had 7 grandchildren and 1 great grandson. Orta is survived by his older brother and sisters, Jose Orta 96 years, Maria Garcia 93 years, and Ramona Castro 91 years and their families. Orta had numerous loving nieces and nephews. Visitation will begin Saturday at the Alamo Funeral Home on North Main at 12:00 p.m. with a rosary starting at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will be on Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 5 :00 p.m. at the Alamo Funeral Home with a Rosary at St. Patrick's Church on Willow Street at 7:00p.m. The funeral mass will be on Monday at 10:00a.m. at St. Patrick's Church following the interment at San Fernando Cemetery II. Condolences may be sent to the Orta Family at www.missionparks.com. In lieu of flowers, one may send donations to the Diabetes Foundation.

Tributes

Jesse R. Orta

January 19, 1920 - December 8, 2004