1949-2021

Lt. Col. (Ret.) Alfredo Ontiveros, Jr., 71, passed away at home in Santa Clara, NM on February 12, 2021, with his loving wife Barbara and his brother Ernie at his side. He was preceded in death by his parents Alfredo and Josephine and the first love of his life, Donna.

Cremation has been entrusted to Baca’s Funeral Chapels. Visitation will take place on Friday, February 26, 2021 from nine to ten in the morning at Santa Clara Catholic Church. The Memorial Mass will follow at ten o’clock in the morning.  Officiating will be Father Casmir Anozie.  Pallbearers are Marcus and Ernie, Jr. Ontiveros, Chas McElmury, Brian Tatko, Raymond Razo, Scott Barela and Chan Jimenez.  Honorary pallbearers are Ernie and Arnold Ontiveros, Michael Nunez, Dennis Russell, Louis Garcia, Ray Goellner and Chacho Sotelo.

Alfred grew up in Ajo, AZ full of spirit and an extraordinary personality. He married his high school sweetheart, Donna, and promptly began a life of adventure that crossed the globe and several states. Alfred enlisted in the Air Force and proudly served 24 years, becoming an officer 7 years into his service. Lt. Col. Ontiveros supported the mission by serving in Air Force hospitals in the United States and at US bases in Spain and Germany. He helped lead the 23rd Tactical Hospital in deployment from England Air Force Base in support of Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm. After retirement from the Air Force and receiving his Bachelor’s and Master’s in Healthcare Administration, Mr. Ontiveros successfully ran hospitals and new hospital projects in Cd. Juarez, Mexico; Silver City and Alamogordo, NM, Mission, Harlingen, and Eagle Pass TX, Owasso, OK, El Paso, TX, Tempe, AZ, and Casper, WY. He loved his job and tried to serve every location with integrity. His energy and personality were larger than life, and he brought enthusiasm and passion to his work and to his life. He was a life-long Rotarian and was dedicated to the service of others.

Alfred and Donna shared a life filled with love for more than 43 years. Together they traveled the world and raised three children, Fredo, Danny, and Christina. Alfred and Donna showed others the meaning of true love and unconditionally supported their children and grandchildren. Though he left Ajo to experience the world, Ajo never left Alfred. He always held a special place in his heart for his hometown and all the other Ajoites he was blessed to know over the years.

Alfred was a blessed and lucky man. After the death of his beloved Donna, he was able to share a new love and life with his wife of 5 years, Barbara. Alfred cherished each day with Barbara and loved sharing adventures with her around the world. We should all be so lucky to experience the love that Alfred did.

He is survived by his wife, Barbara and his children Fredo (Faith), Danny, and Christina. Tata Freddy leaves with love his grandchildren Alex, Marisol, and Ariana and Gabriel, Grace and Olivia.  Mr. O loved and was loved by Barbara’s children Scotty and Samantha (Chan) and leaves with love their children, Jaslyne, Kyran, Ashlyn, Rhylynn, Sylis and Alyk.  He is also survived by his siblings Ernie (Lucy), Isabel, Mary Jo, and Arnold. He also leaves with love nieces and nephews Ernie, Marcus (Alma), Zoe, Mateo, Chas, Anna, Catherine, Lana and Tanya, mother-in-law, Carmen P. Nunez, sister-in-law, Vivian Valerio, brothers-in-law, Michael Nunez (Mary) and Simon P. Nunez (Nancy).

As his children, we extend a special thank you to Barbara and Scotty for caring so diligently for our father during his illness. As a family we all would like to thank the staff of Cancer Treatment Centers of America, Phoenix and all of the staff at Gila Regional Medical Center/Cancer Center, Wanda Hall and Horizon Hospice staff for their loving and professional care. True to form, our Dad always wished for his end of life to be a celebration. He wanted Ozzy Osbourne’s Crazy Train played at his memorial as a reminder to live life to the fullest every day.  To quote one of his favorite songs, “It’s not too late to learn how to love, and forget how to hate.” We love you, Pops. Rest eternal grant him O Lord; and let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace. Amen.

 

https://my.gather.app/remember/alfredo-ontiveros