Jim Ornelas

Jim Soto Ornelas passed on January 2, 2025. He was only 65 years old. The family is deeply saddened and shocked by his sudden death due to an unimaginable short illness. He was born to Jim and Mercedes Ornelas on November 29th, 1959, narrowly beating the arrival of his first cousin Cory Ornelas by mere minutes at the same hospital (never letting her forget he was the Firstborn). Jim is survived by his loving wife Gay Donna (nee Ramirez) of 42 years; his children, Jim and Kara Ornelas; his grandsons, Tru and Logan Ornelas, Zaydrien Muro, Theron Pearson Jr., and Zyaire Norton; his beloved mother, Mercedes Ornelas, and sister Kathy Castanuela (Danny); and niece and nephew, Alex and Danny Castanuela. He also leaves behind numerous other family members. Jim is preceded in death by his father Jim C. Ornelas, Grandmother, Adela Ornelas, special aunt Dell Ornelas, and grandparents, Ascension and Theresa Soto. Funeral arrangements and services are being conducted and held by Johnson’s Funeral Home in San Angelo, TX. The Rosary will be held on Friday, January 10, 2025, at 6:00 pm under the direction of Deacon Claudio Sanchez. The funeral will be celebrated at Johnson’s Funeral Home on Saturday, January 11, 2025, at 2:00 pm: officiated by Pastor David Henry and Elder Gabriel Dye, with a reception to follow at San Angelo First Assembly of God, 1442 Edmund Blvd, San Angelo, TX.

Growing up in San Angelo, during the early sixties, Jim had a lovely and idyllic childhood. He was quick to make friends and provoke laughter from those around him. Jim was curious about the world and would ride his bike far and wide. He enjoyed exploring nature, fishing, and hiking to Little Africa and the “Ravine”. Jim would organize neighborhood games, and once even led a procession of over twenty kids to bury a stray dog that everyone in the community loved and fed. Despite the struggles and challenges Jim endured, he managed to find his way out into the light with the help of his wife Gaydonna. They built a fine life with their two children and remained steadfast in their commitment to one another as they handled the highs and lows life threw their way. Jim was not only a father to his children, but also served as a father figure to his great nieces and nephew, Erica, Nathan and Stephanie, as well as to Lil Joe and Baby Joe. In later life, Jim loved to golf and barbecue, and his wife thought he loved to mow the yard (he didn’t!). He was always in control of the remote and loved watching shows about UFO sightings and alien encounters. Jim had a deep fascination with Bigfoot and was quite capable of mimicking the mythical creature’s call. Jim was granted an honorary doctorate for constantly assembling bikes and tricycles for his children and grandsons. Even though Jim was full of contradictions, he had a deep capacity for love and unyielding loyalty.

The family would like to extend a special thanks to Cory Leyva for her continued support and presence during this difficult time.

2 Corinthians 5:8

We are confident, I say, and

would prefer to be away from the

body and at home with the Lord.