John David Ortego
May 27, 1960 – Sept. 2, 2018
“You can easily judge the character of a man by how he treats those who can do nothing for him.”
-Malcolm Forbes
ELTON - John David Ortego, 58, a lifelong resident of Elton, passed away in his home on Sept. 2, 2018. He was born May 27, 1960, to John and Hilda Klumpp Ortego. He attended school in Elton and was a graduate of the Class of 1978.
As the younger brother to two older sisters, he enjoyed farm life and took an interest in all that it involved at a very young age. Being mechanically inclined, he began tinkering with his dad’s farm equipment and helping out on the farm by age 8. As a child, he could be mischievous and as he grew into adulthood, he became the man who always had a joke for you. He was a jack-of-all-trades and excelled at everything he attempted. There was nothing that he could not build, repair or redesign. He was optimistic, loving, stalwart and hardworking, and he had a servant’s heart. His willingness to assist people was evident throughout his eighteen years of service with the Elton Fire Department as the assistant fire chief. While he was devoted to his home town and work, his love for his children and grandchildren surpassed everything else.
Those left to cherish his memory are his love and companion, Tracy Barron of Elton; his two children, daughter, Amanda (Ryan) Trahan of Jennings and son, David E. Ortego of Lake Charles; three grandchildren, Logan, Melanie and Corey Trahan; parents, John and Hilda Klumpp Ortego of Elton; sisters, Cheryl Lynn (Rickey) Fuselier of Elton and Kathryn Renee (L.E.) Kyle of Moss Bluff; two nephews, Brad (Kelly) Durio of Lake Charles and Trevor (Jeanette) Kyle of Lake Charles; two nieces, Kaylyn Durio Fruge and fiancé, Blair Fontenot of Kinder, and Devon (David) Sonnier of Baytown, Texas; four great-nieces and two great-nephews; and his Godchild, Rosaleigh Comeaux.
He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, John and Essie Mae Ortego of Basile; and maternal grandparents, Raymond and Mabel Klumpp of Basile.
At the request of the family, visitation will be held at Ardoin’s Funeral Home of Elton today, Wednesday, Sept. 5, 2018, from 4-9 p.m., and will continue on Thursday, Sept. 6, 2018, from 8 a.m. until time of services. A Prayer Service will be held at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday evening.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 6, 2018, at St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Elton. Rite of Committal will follow in St. Paul Cemetery, with Rev. Jose Vattakunnel, Celebrant.
Family and friends may view this obituary and sign the guestbook at www.ardoinfuneralhomes.com