Gilbert Ortega

Gilbert Ortega. Gilbert Ortega, legendary Indian art - dealer died Tuesday, September 30, at his Paradise Valley home, surrounded by his family. Though his long battle with the complications of diabetes had taken its toll, his willpower and inner strength defied medical expectations. He was 67. Born April 19, 1936 in Holbrook, Arizona, he was the fifth of seven children of Max and Amelia Ortega. His family heritage hails back to the 1600's in New Mexico, then on into the 1880's in Arizona, where his great grandfather, Santos Ortega, became one of the pioneering settlers of Concho, Arizona Territory-making him a fourth-generation Arizonan. Gilbert Ortega's personal history began while growing up in his father's Navajo reservation trading post along a stretch of Route 66 in Lupton, Arizona. There he learned the intricacies of the business, and a unique way of life. Though a shy young boy, he was fueled by quiet determination, his greatest asset. When he was 20, he and his bride Linda Vanderwagen moved to southern New Mexico. There, Gilbert trained at his brother Armand's trading post, where, Armand, his mentor and teacher taught him the next level of the business. After a couple of years when he ventured out on his own, he came face to face with misfortune and failure, and struggled for several years. He knew he couldn't quit, so with nothing but sheer guts, he kept trying. In the mid-60's when I-40 was paving the way to bypass Route 66, Ortega built a new store on a reservation interchange, and he began experiencing some success. Expansion soon followed, and his dreams began to be realized. Soon after, he opened a location in Gallup, New Mexico, where he established himself in the wholesale Indian jewelry business. This would also prove to be a huge success. In family tradition, he began training his four children in all facets of the business. By the mid 70's, Indian jewelry had gained such popularity, that the business boomed, and Ortega's wholesale operation soared. And like a turquoise tornado, Ortega took advantage of every business opportunity that arose. Working nonstop, he opened stores in other areas of New Mexico, Texas, and Arizona at whirlwind speed. By 1977 he had 16 stores. He sold that chain, and went on to Scottsdale, where by 1980, he started another chain-only his concept began to change, creating finer stores-soon 22 Gilbert Ortega stores spread across the Valley. Then he started buying commercial real estate in Scottsdale, a move that would enhance his growing wealth. His vision never faltered, always raising the bar, Ortega along with his four children developed his retail concept into the sophisticated galleries he built in Scottsdale to showcase the finest in Native American art. He was passionate about Native American art, and devoted to bringing it into the mainstream of business. Today Gilbert Ortega is the largest business of its kind in the country. During his lifetime and his career, Gilbert Ortega touched many lives. His family and friends have not only been inspired by his brilliance and business acumen, but have experienced his generosity and integrity, enjoyed his sparkling wit, and shared his belief that in love and dreams there are no impossibilities. Gilbert Ortega has left a lasting impression. He will be greatly missed. Gilbert Ortega is survived by his former wife Linda Vanderwagen Ortega, his friend and confidant of 45 years, their children, Gilbert Ortega, Jr., Gayle Dean Ortega, Desiree Lynn Ortega, Francine Renee Ortega Schmidt; seven grandchildren, D. J. Ortega-Stanford, Valinda Sarracino, Gilbert Ortega, III, Shalea Sarracino, Asia Ortega-Farrar, Cheyenne Ortega, Londen Ortega-Schmidt, and one great grandchild Taylor Ortega-Stanford. Ortega is also survived by two brothers, Armand Ortega, and Dennis Ortega, and a sister Esther Andre as well as large extended family. He is preceded in death by his parents and three brothers, Dewey, Aggie and Max Ortega. Visitation will be held Sunday October
5 from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. at Messinger Mortuary, 7601 E. Indian School Rd., Scottsdale. Funeral services will be held at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, 10815 N. 84th St., Scottsdale at 10:30 Monday morning. Private burial services to follow. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Hospice of the Valley, 1510 E. Flower, Phx., AZ 85014; or the Muscular Dystrophy Assoc., 10201 S. 51st St., Phoenix, AZ 85044; or the Gilbert Ortega Native American Education Fund, 3925 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale, AZ 85251. Pallbearers are D.J. Ortega-Stanford, Gilbert Ortega III, Armand Ortega Jr., Max Ortega III, Veon McCarrell, Arthur Ortega. Honorary Pallbearers are Robin Sarracino, Jim Hurlbut, Franklin Zecca, Joe Atkinson, Dave Stocking, Richard Garcia, Joaquin Torres, Mike Haj, Dino Shatilla, Bob Khalaf.