Allen Ortego

View/Sign Guestbook Print Obituary Send Flowers

Ville Platte - A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, January 3, 2017 for Allen Ortego, at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church. Father Tom Voorhies will officiate.

Mr. Ortego, age 96 and a resident of Ville Platte, passed away on Monday, December 26, 2016 at his residence.

The family requests that visiting hours be observed at Ardoin's Funeral Home of Ville Platte from 4:00 p.m. - 12:00 a.m. on Monday, January 2, 2017. It will continue on Tuesday, January 3, 2017 at 9:00 a.m. until time of service. A rosary will be prayed at 7:00 p.m. on Monday.

Mr. Allen spent most of his educational years in St. Landry Parish. He graduated Salutatorian as well as Best Athlete from Grand Prairie High School.

On December 7, 1941, he was driving to work at The Wheeler Buick Co. in Oakdale, when he heard the news on his car radio that the Japanese had bombed Pearl Harbor. He immediately turned his car around and went to his parents' home. The next day he hitched a ride with their postman to Washington, then to Opelousas, where he boarded a passenger train bound for New Orleans. He enlisted into The United States Marine Corp and the next stop was San Diego for basic training. After basic training and with much evaluation he was chosen to attend the U.S. Naval Academy in Toledo, Ohio. He earned certification as a U.S. Naval Military Accountant. He then boarded the once fashionable stripped out for military use former Luxury Liner named "The Luraline" bound for the South Pacific. After many months of blood, sweat and tears, his stamina and education served him well in earning several stripes of promotion becoming a Technical Sergeant Quartermaster and Guardian of all supplies imported into and exported from The South Pacific. In particular, Guadalcanal. He was on the First Marine Aircraft Wing Campaign Command and capture of Bouganville, British Soloman Islands and Green Island landing operations. In fact, his meritorious devotion earned him A Special Commendation and Citation from The Commanding General, Field Harris. (See online) He then was transferred to Cherry Point, North Carolina where he headed an Aircraft Production Plant. After the war he returned home. He met Miss Beryl Anne Brignac. They were wed in The Church of Immaculate Conception at Washington, LA on October 27, 1945.

Mr. Ortego was an entrepreneur and a philanthropist. The couple began their career in the automotive industry as they worked side by side until their first child, Brenda Gale, and then Allen Glenn was born. His business expanded to the Banking Industry as he was one of the pioneers in opening American Security Bank, then Security Savings and Loan Assoc, Southwest Fidelity Corp and others. Real estate development and speculation was another shared passion of Mr. Ortego. As his automotive business grew he needed more railroad access. He purchased the old Avoyelles Wholesale Co. on Main Street. And during the same time period he purchased the Highland Park Development and completed it with great success. Later on, he and Mr. Isom Deshotels from Opelousas amongst others formed The Gulf Land Investment Corporation where they purchased and sold large tracts of land through the United States. Lafourche Gas Company and Lafouche Construction Co followed. In his later years, he developed the Ortego Pepper Sauce, Sauce Pimente' Brand from years of testing. A hobby turned international in scale followed. And as years went by he and Miss Beryl Anne along with Glenn and Brenda thought it was a good idea for a Downtown Park in Ville Platte. Hence they donated their railroad and main front property to the city for that strict purpose.

He is survived by wife of over 71 years, Beryl Anne Brignac Ortego; daughter, Brenda Gale Ortego and significant other, Susan Indest; son, Allen Glenn Ortego and significant other, Richard Douglas Resweber; and sisters, Bernita Ortego Lafleur, Sylvia Ortego Veillon, Jane Ortego Courville and Patsy Ortego Dupre.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Norbert Lee and Amelise Ortego Ortego; sister, Ruby Ortego Ardoin; brother, Huey Ortego; and brothers-in-law, Dudley J. Lafleur, Calvin Ardoin, Cecil Veillon and Meris Dupre.

Pallbearers will be Rick Resweber, Burke Pitre, Ernest Bordelon, Allen Frank, Ernest Ayo and Gene Ortego.

Special thanks to Dr. Henry Dupre, Rick Resweber, Andy Poche, Ms. Harmond, Ernest Bordelon, Norma Vidrine, Pam Bertrand, Rose Marcantel, Nikki Vidrine, Casey Deshotels, Greg Brignac, Sheila Argetsinger, Ms. Lila, Ms. April, Neil Leboeuf and Dr. Brent Ardoin.

A reception will follow for family and close friends at the Ortego's Lake House. (1039 Continental Place Ville Platte, La 70586)

Arrangements have been entrusted to Ardoin's Funeral Home of Ville Platte. (709 W. Main St. Ville Platte, LA 70586)

Family and friends may view the online obituary and/or leaven words of comfort for the family at www.ardoinfuneralhomes.com.

Visitation

Ardoins Funeral Home
709 W. Main St.
Ville Platte, LA  70586
Monday, January 2, 2017
4:00 p.m. until 12:00 a.m.

Ardoins Funeral Home
709 W. Main St.
Ville Platte, LA  70586
Tuesday, January 3, 2017
9:00 a.m. until Time of Service

Service

Rosary

Ardoin Funeral Home
709 W. Main St.
Ville Platte, LA  70586
Monday, January 2, 2017
7:00 p.m.

Mass of Christian Burial

Sacred Heart Catholic Church
708 E. Main St.
Ville Platte, LA  70586
Tuesday, January 3, 2017
11:00 a.m.

Cemetery

Sacred Heart Mausoleum
708 E. Main St.
Ville Platte, LA  70586