Francisco Salas Ortega, 84, lovingly known to everyone as "Pancho" of Marathon, Texas passed away on January 11th, 2025 in the comfort of his home surrounded by his family in Marathon, Texas.

Rosary at 1:00 pm and Funeral at 2:00 pm will be Wednesday, 15th day of January 2025 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Marathon, Texas. Burial will follow at the Marathon Cemetery.

Pancho was born in Study Butte, Texas to Jose Angel and Leonor Ortega on September 17, 1940. He went to school in Marathon, Texas. He married Emilia Gomez Ortega on July 14, 1962 in Marathon, Texas. He was the Plant Foreman for Bailey Fluorspar Co. for 38 years and worked as a Ranch Foreman for McKnight Ranches for 32 years. Pancho and his smile were a staple in his community. He served on the MISD Board of Trustees, Knights of Columbus, St. Mary's Catholic Church Financial Board and volunteered his time with the Marathon EMS, Annual Fish Fry, Annual Mother's Day Community Cookouts, Annual 4th of July Community Cookouts and coached his children in baseball. Pancho was always ready and willing to lend a helping hand.

Pancho dedicated himself to teaching his family the love of God, the importance of family, and the values of hard work and community service. The greatest joy of his life was spending time with his grandchildren. No distance could keep grandpa and grandma from attending one of their events.

Pancho is preceded in death by his father and mother, Jose Angel and Leonor Ortega; brothers Jesus Ortega, Ruben Ortega and Apolonio Ortega; sister, Felipa De La Paz; and son, Frank Gomez Ortega.

Pancho is survived by his wife of 62 years, Emilia Gomez Ortega, his daughter in law Toni Ortega, spouse of his late son Frank Ortega, of Midland, TX; son Ruben Ortega, spouse Annalisa Ortega, of Marathon; daughter Rebecca Garcia, spouse Guadalupe Garcia, of Marathon; son Ray Ortega, spouse Teri Ortega, of Denver City, TX. Sister Rosa Gomez of Hutto, TX; sister Anita Aguilar of Murchison, TX and sister Ernestina Henderson of Hutto, TX. Grandchildren Emily Ortega and Franchesca Ortega of Midland, TX; Jamie Diaz, spouse DJ Saucedo of Lordsburg, NM; the late Jessie Darnell of Lordsburg, NM; Tiffani Garcia and Alysa Garcia of Marathon; Jacob Garcia, spouse Jasmine Garcia, of Marathon; and James Ortega of Denver City, TX. Great Grandchildren Raymond Saucedo and Ashley Saucedo of Lordsburg, NM; Jaiden Darnell of Arizona; Luca Santiago and Lorenzo Leonardo of Midland, TX and Joelle Frankie of Marathon.

Pallbearers will be Ruben Ortega, Ray Ortega, Guadalupe Garcia, Jacob Garcia, James Ortega, Armando Gomez, Roman Gomez and Michael Henderson.

The children of Pancho would like to extend a special thank you and appreciation to Jess Lanridge, Sara Cash, Beverly O'Shaughnessy and Karen Ramirez of Angel Care Hospice and Nancy Olvera and all the staff of Eternity Funeral Home for their care and compassion while caring for our father.