1st Sgt. Ruperto Orta, Jr. (USMC, Ret.)

First Sgt. Ruperto Orta, Jr. (USMC, Ret.), peacefully passed from this life September 3, 2022 at the age of seventy-three. He was born July 2, 1949 in Detroit, Michigan to the late Ruperto Orta, Sr. and Elvira Montalvo Orta. He was a graduate of Bath High School and Lansing Business School.

Ruperto proudly served twenty-three years in the United State Marine Corps. He enlisted in 1967 and retired from his military service in 1990. He was assigned to the 4th Force Reconnaissance Company and was a combat veteran of the Vietnam War, the Gulf War, and Operation Desert Storm. For his dedicated military service, Ruperto was awarded the National Defense Service Medal with One Star, the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, the Vietnamese Service Medal with One Star, the Vietnamese Campaign Medal, the Navy Achievement Medal with Combat V, the Navy Achievement Certificate, and the Rifle Marksman Badge.

In his leisure time, he loved fishing, drinking and barbecuing with his family and friends, and taking his dog for walks. He also enjoyed watching Hallmark Christmas movies.

Ruperto was preceded in death by his parents, Ruperto, Sr. and Elvira M. Orta; his brother, Fernando Orta; his sister, Julia Flores, and his beloved pet, Lachi, gone but not forgotten.

Left to treasure Ruperto’s memory and carry on his legacy are his children, Augustine Franco, Robert Franco, Melissa (Sergio) Rodriguez, Angelica (Marcos) Hernandez, and Shannon (William) Van Ostran; his grandchildren, Daniel R. Orta, Rudy Serna, Jr., Rodney Serna, Ryan Serna, Annette Balli, Joseph Franco, Alysia R. Franco, Michael A. Franco, Isaiah A. Franco, Robert A. Franco Jr., Sabrina R. Gonzales, Rey Martinez III, Jesse R. M. Hernandez, Alyssa Bell, Vanessa Hernandez, Alyssa Topping, Austin Martin, and Richard Martin; and seven great-grandchildren.  Ruperto is also survived by his sisters, Rachel (Mel) Meza and Mary Diaz; his brothers, Eduardo Orta, and Armando Orta; his best friend and like a brother, Johnny Cortez; and his beloved pet, Mookie.

The Orta family will receive relatives and friends Tuesday, September 6, 2022 from 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Buck Ashcraft San Benito Funeral Home. A Prayer Service will begin Tuesday evening at 7 o’clock. Visitation will continue Wednesday, September 7, 2022 at 8:30 a.m. The funeral procession will depart the funeral home Wednesday at 12:30 p.m. to All Saints Episcopal Church of San Benito for a funeral service at 1:00 p.m.

Following the funeral service, Ruperto will be laid to rest with full military honors at Mont Meta Memorial Park.

Honored to serve as pallbearers are Daniel Ruperto Orta, Rudy Serna Jr., Rodney Serna, Ryan Serna, Michael A. Franco, and Matthew Gonzales. Honorary pallbearers are Johnny Cortez and Mike Martinez.

CLICK THE LINK BELOW TO VIEW A LIVESTREAM OF THE PRAYER SERVICE.