Sir Adrian Ogaz

It is with deep sorrow and heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend of many, Sir Adrian Ogaz, KCHS, 98, of Garfield, on Saturday, March 30, 2013. He was born Dec. 10, 1914 in Salem, N.M. to Ignacio and Irene Apodaca Ogaz. Sir Adrian Ogaz was a member of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem and a 4th degree member of the Knights of Columbus Council #1226. He was a major donor to the Las Cruces Catholic Schools and an active member of the Democratic Party serving two terms as a Doña Ana County Commissioner. As a pioneer and distinguished farmer in Garfield, he grew cotton, alfalfa and chile for over 50 years. Active in organizing the Annual Hatch Chile Festival, he promoted the famous "Hatch Chile;" he served as a founding member and past president of the Garfield Water Association; past president of the Garfield Cotton Gin and member of the Caballo Soil and Water Conservation District. Adrian was appointed by the late governor, Bruce King, to the U.S.-Mexico Border Authority and was one of the main supporters of the Southern New Mexico State Fair. He was the oldest buyer at the livestock sale and was honored by the fair committee with the naming of "The Ogaz Building" for his many years of support. He also was on the planning committee to build the new Memorial Medical Center and was a member of the Catholic Church. Survivors include his children, Dickie Ogaz and wife Cleofas, Patsy Ogaz Trujillo and husband, Enrique, Hector Ogaz and wife, Toni, and Edmund Ogaz and wife, Alice; two stepbrothers, Armando and Antonio Ogaz. Other survivors include 14 grandchildren; Phillip Trujillo, Cathy Harris (Kevin), Jo Ellyn Barnes (Michael), Sharon Garcia (Henry), Jeff Trujillo (Peggy), Edward Ogaz (Julie), Gilbert Ogaz (Delia), Ricky Ogaz (Natalie), Eric Ogaz, Sabrina Wright (Adam), Michael Ogaz, Suzanne Lopez (Mike), Stacy Delk (Mark) and Matthew Ogaz; 24 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Carmen; a daughter, Anita Louise and two brothers, Paul and Jerry Ogaz. Visitation for Mr. Ogaz will begin at 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 2, 2013 in San Isidro Catholic Church, Loma Parda St. #2003 in Garfield where the prayer vigil is scheduled for 7 p.m. The funeral mass will be celebrated Wednesday, April 3, 2013 at 10 a.m. in the same church. The rite of committal and interment will follow in the Garfield Cemetery where he will lay to rest. Serving as casket bearers will be Phillip and Jeff Trujillo, Edward, Gilbert, Ricky and Matthew Ogaz. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that memorial contributions be made in Adrian Ogaz' name to San Isidro Catholic Church, HC 31, Box 43, Garfield, NM 87936. Service arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Baca's Funeral Chapels of Las Cruces. 527-2222. Your exclusive providers for "Veterans and Family Memorial Care." For online condolences, log on to www.bacasfuneralchapelslascruces.com.