Feliciano Orlando Chavez

On the afternoon of July 10, 2020 Orlando went to be with The Lord after a long, hard battle with cancer. Orlando had just celebrated his 52nd birthday. Orlando was born on June 25, 1968 in Ayoquezco, Oaxaca, Mexico to Conrado and Luisa Chavez. He was the second born of 7 children. He left Mexico, his home, at 17 years of age to come to the United States to make a life of his own. He landed his first job working on a large horse farm in San Marcos, California. Orlando met Kimberly, his wife, at this farm where they worked together and fell in love. They married on February 24, 1988. They welcomed their first-born daughter, Brooke later that year. They moved to Washington where Orlando worked on the King Family Ranch. It was here that he fell in love with ranching, his natural born gift. It was here that they welcomed their second child, Douglas, in 1989. Orlando moved his family to Montana and settled on a ranch in Big Timber where he and his family resided and worked. It was here where they welcomed their third child, Erika, in 1992. With a desire to return to Mexico and work in the mission field. They moved their family to Mexico where they served with YWAM in building homes for those in need and working with children in the orphanage. Orlando loved The Lord and his work in ministry was a big part in the foundation of his strong faith. After a year and a half of serving in Mexico, they returned to Montana where he continued his passion of ranching. They settled on Sheep Mountain Ranch where they raised their family. Orlando loved The Lord, his wife, family, and ranching. He loved the cows, horses, land and had a unique, quiet way with livestock. He especially loved riding, roping and breaking colts. Orlando loved his family very much. He cherished spending time with his kids and grandkids and made them a part of his everyday life. Whether it be riding, irrigating, fixing fence, cow work, hiking, camping, or branding, he worked at it with his whole heart. Orlando’s smile, kindness, work ethic, passion, fun-spirit, ability to get along with others and unconditional love for everyone is something that will not be forgotten by anyone who knew and loved him. Orlando is survived by: parents Conrado and Luisa of Ayoquezco, Mexico, all of his siblings Yolanda, Marino, Gregoria, Marcos, Javier, and Arcenio of Ayoquezco, Mexico and California, wife Kimberly (married 32 years) of Big Timber, MT, his children Brooke (Caleb) Sinnema of Manhattan, MT, Douglas (Jackie) Chavez of Camp LeJeune, NC, and Erika (Derek) DeJong of Belgrade, MT. He is also survived by his 7 grandchildren: James, Kade, Hannah, Canaan, Cruz, Barrett, and Ethan. Orlando was a man of few words, but when he spoke, you listened and took it to heart. He was a man of God with a servant heart.