Gonzalo "Chalo"

Gonzales Ortega

In Loving Memory Of

Gonzalo "Chalo" Gonzales Ortega

August 12, 1944 – January 2, 2026

Gonzalo "Chalo" Gonzales Ortega, 81, was called home to be with the Lord on Friday, January 2, 2026.

He was born in Lozano, Texas to Guadalupe and Manuela Ortega. He lived his whole life in Rio Hondo, Texas.

Gonzalo is preceded in death by his parents, 3 sisters, 1 brother, his beloved son, Ovidio "Lingos" Ortega, and life partner Trinidad Juarez.

Gonzalo leaves behind his 12 loving children, Maria Olga Ortega, Alma Ortega, Gonzalo Ortega Jr. (Mark), Norma Ortega (Tim), Rodolfo Ortega (Lisa), Angelica Ortega, Orlando Ortega (Maria F.), Fabian Ortega and their loving mother, Olga F. De La Fuente. He is also survived by Leonel Ortega, Rosalinda Rios (Robert), Daniel Ortega, Brittany Garza (Omar) and their mother, La Ree Shoffield. Gonzalo also leaves behind 32 grandchildren, 30 great grandchildren, 4 great-great grandchildren, and numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives, and many friends.

Gonzalo worked and retired as a maintain operator for Cameron County Precinct 3. He leaves his legacy as being a great "Cowboy" with a playful spirit and loved spending time with family and listening to great music.

He was a loving father and grandfather and was loved and admired by his family and friends and will be greatly missed.

A Cowboy's Welcome:
"We pray You'll take him by the hand, as he rides in with his trusty horse, and say, "Welcome home, cowboy. Your entry fees are paid. Your journey here is done, and you're finally free."

Visitation will be held on Friday, January 9, 2026 from 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Trinity Funeral Chapel of the Holy Spirit with a prayer of the Holy Rosary at 7:00 p.m. led by Mary and Pete Martinez.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, January 10, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. at Trinity Funeral Chapel.

Interment will follow to Las Anaquitas Cemetery in Rio Hondo, Texas.

Honored to serve as his pallbearers will be Peter Speciale II, Orlando Ortega, Jr., Ovidio Ortega, Christian Gailey, Isaac Barrera, Rigoberto Barrera, Gonzalo "Lingos" Ortega, Fabian Ortega II, and Leonel Ortega.

With profound love and remembrance, the family of Gonzalo "Chalo" Gonzales Ortega has entrusted his funeral arrangements to Lenny Elizondo, Funeral Director/Owner of Trinity at Harrison Funeral Home, 1002 East Harrison Ave., Harlingen, Texas 78550. For information, please call (956) 364-2444 or sign the online guestbook at www.trinityfunerals.com