Edward Orozco

Edward Joseph "Pino" Orozco, 39, died Thursday, April 2, 2009, at his home.

Mr. Orozco was born on Dec. 5, 1969, at Winslow Memorial Hospital. He began his grade school education at Bonnie Brennan and Thomas Jefferson School. During junior high school, he successfully completed all the accelerated classes with relative ease. He was a member of student council and was inducted into the Honor Society, then graduated with honors in 1983.

As a student at Winslow High School, he was active in football and baseball until an "old" little league injury reappeared and he was unable to participate in contact sports. He remained with the teams as manager, where he "lettered" in all sports. He was a member of student council, was selected as a Boys State Representative, a member of the Decathlon Team both years, and inducted into National Honor Society his junior year. His senior year, he was a member of the golf team and was elected as student body president for the 1986-1987 school year by his peers. He graduated with honors in the top 10 percent of his class.

Mr. Orozco attended Northern Arizona University, where he excelled until he graduated in 1992 attaining a bachelor's degree in accounting. He worked at the Fairfield Country Club during his college years, remaining loyal by moving in the accounting office. He relocated back home, for health reasons, after being hired in the finance department for the City of Winslow, where he was employed as senior accountant until his death.

Survivors include his parents, Keith and Ramona Nelson; stepsisters Belinda (Duane) Ahasteen, Kathie (John) Chino and Toni Nelson (Darrell); his uncle, Edward Saucedo, of Winslow; aunts Theresa (Andrew) Cabacungan, Patricia (Woodro) Rankens, Cecelia (Archie) Sanchez of California, Frances Orozco of Las Vegas and Charlotte Orozco of Winslow; one great-uncle; and several cousins, friends and other extended family.

He was preceded in death by his father, Edward Orozco, Sr.; grandparents Cecilio and Della Saucedo, and Tony and Rose Orozco; uncle Tony Orozco Jr.; and his brother, Gabriel Anthony Orozco.

Holy Rosary will be recited Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. at Madre De Dios Catholic Church. Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. at the same location with celebrant Father Frank Chacon. There will be a viewing from 4 to 7 p.m. at Greer's Mortuary Chapel. Interment to follow at Desert View Cemetery.

Greer's Mortuary of Winslow is handling arrangements.