Lotario Duran Ortega

Lotario D. Ortega, our dear father, grandfather, and friend passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, January 28, 2023. He celebrated his 100th birthday in August 2022 with family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Lotario Ortega and Lucy Ortega; his beloved wife of 67 years, Mary Smalley Ortega; infant son, John; son, Lotario E. Ortega of Albuquerque, and son, Thomas J. Ortega of Milan, NM. He is survived by his brother-in-law, John Smalley and wife, Janice and children; Mary L. Ortega, Teresa O. Heaphy and husband, Steve, Ann C. Johnson, Peter G. Ortega and wife, Malinda, Paul B. Ortega and wife, Michele, Philip A. Ortega, and Angelica K. Benavidez and husband, Mario; and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and friends.

Lotario came from humble beginnings, growing up in the vast open space of New Mexico at a trading post bordering the Navajo Nation near the NM/AZ border. He developed a great love and respect for the land, water, wildlife, and native people that would later shape his career and work life. He graduated from Sacred Heart High School in Gallup NM in May of 1940 as valedictorian and then attended Loyola University in CA working summers to earn tuition at the trading post and at Ft. Wingate where he managed the ammunition storage bunkers. WWII interrupted his studies because he enlisted in the Navy in October 1942 and served in the South Pacific Theater until his discharge in January 1946. After basic training, he returned to Gallup and met the love of his life, Mary Smalley who became his wife on June 19, 1946. He then returned to Loyola University where he completed his undergraduate and law degree in five Years.

Dad became an attorney to follow in his uncle Leo Duran's footsteps. He began in private practice in Gallup NM and later became an assistant DA in Gallup. In 1960, as his family grew, he relocated to Albuquerque in order to provide educational opportunities for his children. He continued his career working for the Department of Interior as an assistant Field Solicitor. Later, he was promoted to Field Solicitor in the S.W. region until his retirement. His knowledge of Native American culture and NM wildlife and lands was an asset in his career working with the BIA, Department of Fish and Wildlife, and US Forest Service. To keep busy during retirement, he worked at ABQ and Santa Fe Downs racetracks. He continued his career working for the State of NM MVD as a Hearing Officer. He also served as a Hearing Officer for the Department of Fish and Wildlife on cases involving endangered species and their habitats in western and southwestern regions.

He had many interests including fishing, hunting, canning, gardening, history of NM, and genealogy. Dad was a die-hard LA Dodgers baseball fan since their inception in Brooklyn, NY. He was a longtime parishioner of Our Lady of the Assumption parish where he served as a eucharistic minister and a member of several church and school committees. A lifelong learner, our father instilled in us a love of learning, a deep faith in God, and the importance of family.