Steven Ortega

Steven Daniel Ortega, aged 21, died February 13, 2009, in Norman, OK. He was the beloved son of Lina Ortega and C.B. Elder, the cherished grandson of Dora Young of Seminole and Pablo and Kathy Ortega of Midwest City, and the much-loved nephew of Ellen (Cricket) Ortega and Robert Keller of Norman. rnrnSteven was an enrolled member of the Sac & Fox Nation of Oklahoma and was the great-grandson of Frances Walker Coker. His great-grandfather was Thomas Coker, who was of Seminole and Creek heritage. Through his grandfather Pablo Ortega, he was of Puerto Rican descent as well. rnrnSteven attended the Norman public schools and graduated from Norman?s Dimensions Academy in 2006. He also attended Oklahoma City Community College. He had a great passion for music and loved to read. In his younger years, he enjoyed attending church with his grandmother. Throughout his life, he enjoyed spending time with all of his grandparents and other family members. His family has many good memories of his presence at family events and his Sauk relatives appreciated his help at family feasts. rnrnSteven is survived by his parents, grandparents, and aunt and uncle. He is survived as well by Erb Talley, whom he had known all his life and was as another grandfather to him. His other surviving relatives are: Great Aunts Thelma Coker, Mary McCormick, and Maxine Trubshaw; Great Uncle and Aunt Walter and JoAnn Coker; Great Uncle and Aunt Jose Raul Ortega and Iris Ortega, Aunts Sallie Stewart, Susan Epps, Julia Elder, Sarah Gately, Gwen Wilburn, Shirley McCormick, Roseanna Preston, and Johanna Smith; Uncles Dennis Jennings and Ryan Gately; and many cousins and family friends. rnrnHe was preceded in death by grandmother Joan G. Elder and great-grandmothers Frances Walker Coker and Cibeles Otero Galvez. rnrnAll of his family and friends knew that Steven had a kind heart, a keen sense of humor, and a beautiful smile. We are thankful for the time we had with him and he will be missed more than we can begin to say.rnrnServices are under the direction of Swearingen Funeral Home in Seminole, Oklahoma.rn Funeral Information: February 15, 2009, 2:00 AM