John J. Orozco

Mr. Orozco died Thursday, Oct. 23, 2003, at his home.

He was born Feb. 5, 1938, in Cherryvale, the son of Tereso J. and Delores (Gonzales) Orozco. He moved with his family in 1941 to Chanute, where he attended public school and graduated from Chanute High School in 1956. He graduated from Neosho County Community College in 1972.

Mr. Orozco was in the U.S. Navy from July 1957 to June 1961. He was co-owner of Taco Juan’s in Chanute in the late ’60s and early ’70s. He was vice president and general manager of Sabreliner Corp. for 13 years before he retired. He then worked at A-Lert Construction as human resources manager for a year. He was a member of Zion Lutheran Church, where he served as an elder, trustee and youth leader.

He served as a Chanute city commissioner from 1973 to 1977. He became mayor in 1975 to fulfill the term of Marion Johnson, who died while in office, and was vice mayor for a year. He was a member of the Chamber of Commerce and served as president in 1985. He became a member of the Chanute Jaycees in 1968 and served as president and on the Housing Commission for Safari West Apartments and also received the Distinguished Service and Spark Plug awards.

He married Elvita “Bea” Hernandez in 1963. They divorced. He married Terri (West) Holloway on April 4, 1987, in Chanute. She survives, of the home.

Other survivors include two sons, Robert Orozco, Gardner, and Nicholas Holloway, Wichita; three daughters, Marina Lewis, Anne Hartwig, both of Chanute, and Emily Schinstock, Independence, Kan.; a brother, Sam, Topeka; three sisters, Mary Dubetsky, Derby, Margie Waller, Lawrence, and Jodie McEntee, Kansas City, Mo.; and 10 grandchildren.

An infant son, John J. Jr., died earlier.

Friends may call from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday at Gibson-Koch-Friskel Chapel in Chanute. The family will receive friends from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday at the church.

The family suggests memorials to the church youth group, sent in care of the funeral home, 16 N. Forest, Chanute 66720.