Orelio Montoya

Lt. Colonel Orelio "Orie", "Tata" Montoya was born December 24, 1931, to Jose and Octaviana Montoya. He attended Belen High School, then graduated from St. Joseph's College, where he played basketball and was nicknamed "Pretty Legs". He married Nellie Cordova on February 6th, 1954, in La Joya, NM.

Orie retired from Sandia National Laboratories after 40 years and he was a Lt. Colonel with the NM Army National Guard after 46 years. He officiated basketball and football for 30 years and was inducted into the NM Officials Hall of Fame. He served in several parish ministries and, with Nellie, was a recipient of the St. Francis of Assisi award. They have traveled extensively, most notably to The Holy Land.

He was called to his heavenly home on Saturday, March 22, 2025. He was preceded in death by his son, Tom, parents, brothers, Alfredito, Alfonso, Eugenio and sisters, Genevieve and Viola; brothers-in-love, Desi, Dennis, Rey and Bill; sisters-in-love, Elisa, Eloisa, Clorinda, Mary and Becky. 

He is survived by his brother-in-love, Jerry; sisters-in-love, Maryann, Vera and Jeanette; sons, Gerald and wife, Phyllis, Mark and wife, Michelle; and favorite daughter, Sheila and husband, Clinton, Jr.; his loving grandchildren, Rashelle and husband, Chris, Jessica and husband, Joe, Desiree, Jacob, Clinton III and wife, Jennifer, TJ and fiancée, Belinda, Octaviana, Jerilyn and husband, Taylor, Joel and wife, Hannah, Ezra and wife, Sarah, Joseph and fiancée, Avery, Nicolena and fiancée, Hayden as well as 13 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. Also, a loving host of nieces and nephews.

A Rosary will be held Friday, March 28, 2025, at 9:30 a.m., with Mass immediately following at Queen of Heaven Catholic Church, 5311 Phoenix Ave NE, ABQ 87110. A reception will follow at the Parish Hall.