Johnny Ortega Obituary

Johnny L Ortega was born on October 14th, 1948, in La Garita, Colorado and was called home on May 16th, 2025, in Reno, Nevada.

The family moved to Payette, Idaho where John graduated from Payette High School in 1968 and was part of the wrestling team and owned The Paddock Lounge for a time.

In 1972 he married the love of his life, Carol P. Ortega, and though they later divorced, they stayed dear friends for the rest of their lives.

John eventually settled in Winnemucca, Nevada where he retired from Barrick Gold and then later became a greeter at WalMart where he enjoyed talking to people and giving everyone a hard time before he'd head off to Dotty's to take his chance at the slots.

John enjoyed camping, catching fish and having a good time. You could always find him out "honky-tonkin" wherever he went. He enjoyed playing his guitar and singing for anyone who would listen. Always the life of the party and making people laugh with his witty humor.

John is survived by his daughter, Angel (Matthew), his son, John Jr., stepdaughter Siobhan, and 3 grandchildren, Korbyn, Tyler and Lauren, 2 sisters, Marcy (Dick), Dora (George), 2 brothers, Raymond (Molly), Roger (Kathy) and many nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Laddie and Mary Ortega, brothers Victor, Rudy and Arthur, his niece Marvine and his great-niece Sydney.

Celebration of life will be held on Sat, May 31, 2025, at 3:00pm at the Portia Club 225 N 9th St, Payette, ID 83661

In lieu of flowers or donations, the family asks that you kindly raise a toast in loving memory to our beloved Johnny.