Inez Locklear

Inez Locklear, 98, our beloved and only surviving aunt passed away on June 9, 2022. Inez was born in Mosquero, NM on Nov. 10, 1923. This is where a life of dedication, kindness, intelligence and thoughtfulness began. She was the oldest daughter of Paz Ortiz and Miquela Baca Ortiz. Inez also had 5 brothers and one sister (Pablo, Benjamin, Nicolas, Facundo, and Frances who precede her in death; to survive her is brother Alfred Ortiz.

Inez lived on a ranch in northeastern New Mexico and attended a one room school house. When Inez was 17 she lived on her own in Mosquero, NM to attend high school with the intention of graduating. She had heard that her grandmother, Fannie C. Ortiz was in ill health and impoverished. Inez cared for her until her death a few months later. Inez in her love of education returned to school and graduated from high school in June of 1942. Always a leader and independent Inez moved to Killeen, Texas where her brothers were already stationed. Jobs were plentiful and she found work in cafes, restaurant and dime stores.

Within a year Inez found the love of her life, Udall “Tex” Locklear. Tex was a sailor and very handsome and friendly. They married after the war in 1948 and were married for over 40 years. Tex passed away in 1986. They had no children, but many beloved pets and a ton of friends. Some of her friends included Elvis Presley in his early years and Perry Como. In the 50’s the couple lived in Texas, New Mexico and finally settle in Pueblo, CO where most her family had also settled to work at the Pueblo Ordinance Depot and the CF&I. Tex worked at the old Phillips 66 on 4th street, and Inez began her long career in baking and cooking at the old Kress, JJ Newberrie’s and Woolworth’s lunch counters. Inez also worked at Grand Café in in downtown Pueblo and ran the kitchen at the Klamm Shell in Bessemer. She even opened up her own restaurant in Boone, CO.

She won a contest sponsored by Kress as to what makes good customer service. Inez was given a letter of commendation, a cake (which she may have baked and decorated) and a round of applause. In Inez fashion, she told no one until we found the letter in her paperwork. She was meticulous in record keeping and attention to detail.

In 1965, Tex and Inez adopted 2 sons from a Catholic orphanage, Steve and Deacon Richard Duecker. As time would pass Richard married and had children. Tex and Inez had the sons, daughter-in-law and the grandchildren they always prayed for.

Inez was a gifted entrepreneur, always wanting to contribute and help and be part of a positive picture.

She was productive and hardworking. She was highly skilled, in sewing, accounting, cooking, baking, catering, and of course of being a terrific aunt to numerous nieces, nephews to include Gilbert and Diana Ortiz her caregivers.

Inez’s last job was at Ortiz Catering, where she prepared the food and managed the kitchen. As her life has many twists and turns, she met and was pictured with President Bill Clinton on his visit to Pueblo, where she fed him along with many Governors, Senators, and News people from all over the United States.

Inez was remarkable, given the place and the time she was born. She made her own success and her own opportunities and never quit when life presented an obstacle. She was family minded and she mattered to her mother and father, husband, brothers, and sister, to the many nieces and nephews that loved her and appreciated her humor, her stories and how she made us feel special.

Special thanks to: Staff and Director of Belmont Senior Care, Phyllis Sanchez; staff and administration of Pueblo Villa, Innovage of Pueblo, and Hospice.

Mass of Christian Burial 10a.m. Wednesday June 22, 2022, St. Joseph Catholic Church. Internment Roselawn Cemetery. Online condolences, www.angeluspueblo.com

(PHOTO)

Inez Locklear, 98, our beloved and only surviving aunt passed away on June 9, 2022. Inez was born in Mosquero, NM on Nov. 10, 1923. This is where a life of dedication, kindness, intelligence and thoughtfulness began. She was the oldest daughter of Paz Ortiz and Miquela Baca Ortiz. Inez also had 5 brothers and one sister (Pablo, Benjamin, Nicolas, Facundo, and Frances who precede her in death; to survive her is brother Alfred Ortiz.

Inez lived on a ranch in northeastern New Mexico and attended a one room school house. When Inez was 17 she lived on her own in Mosquero, NM to attend high school with the intention of graduating. She had heard that her grandmother, Fannie C. Ortiz was in ill health and impoverished. Inez cared for her until her death a few months later. Inez in her love of education returned to school and graduated from high school in June of 1942. Always a leader and independent Inez moved to Killeen, Texas where her brothers were already stationed. Jobs were plentiful and she found work in cafes, restaurant and dime stores.

Within a year Inez found the love of her life, Udall “Tex” Locklear. Tex was a sailor and very handsome and friendly. They married after the war in 1948 and were married for over 40 years. Tex passed away in 1986. They had no children, but many beloved pets and a ton of friends. Some of her friends included Elvis Presley in his early years and Perry Como. In the 50’s the couple lived in Texas, New Mexico and finally settle in Pueblo, CO where most her family had also settled to work at the Pueblo Ordinance Depot and the CF&I. Tex worked at the old Phillips 66 on 4th street, and Inez began her long career in baking and cooking at the old Kress, JJ Newberrie’s and Woolworth’s lunch counters. Inez also worked at Grand Café in in downtown Pueblo and ran the kitchen at the Klamm Shell in Bessemer. She even opened up her own restaurant in Boone, CO.

She won a contest sponsored by Kress as to what makes good customer service. Inez was given a letter of commendation, a cake (which she may have baked and decorated) and a round of applause. In Inez fashion, she told no one until we found the letter in her paperwork. She was meticulous in record keeping and attention to detail.

In 1965, Tex and Inez adopted 2 sons from a Catholic orphanage, Steve and Deacon Richard Duecker. As time would pass Richard married and had children. Tex and Inez had the sons, daughter-in-law and the grandchildren they always prayed for.

Inez was a gifted entrepreneur, always wanting to contribute and help and be part of a positive picture.

She was productive and hardworking. She was highly skilled, in sewing, accounting, cooking, baking, catering, and of course of being a terrific aunt to numerous nieces, nephews to include Gilbert and Diana Ortiz her caregivers.

Inez’s last job was at Ortiz Catering, where she prepared the food and managed the kitchen. As her life has many twists and turns, she met and was pictured with President Bill Clinton on his visit to Pueblo, where she fed him along with many Governors, Senators, and News people from all over the United States.

Inez was remarkable, given the place and the time she was born. She made her own success and her own opportunities and never quit when life presented an obstacle. She was family minded and she mattered to her mother and father, husband, brothers, and sister, to the many nieces and nephews that loved her and appreciated her humor, her stories and how she made us feel special.

Special thanks to: Staff and Director of Belmont Senior Care, Phyllis Sanchez; staff and administration of Pueblo Villa, Innovage of Pueblo, and Hospice.

Mass of Christian Burial 10a.m. Wednesday June 22, 2022, St. Joseph Catholic Church. Internment Roselawn Cemetery. Online condolences, www.angeluspueblo.com

(PHOTO)

Inez Locklear, 98, our beloved and only surviving aunt passed away on June 9, 2022. Inez was born in Mosquero, NM on Nov. 10, 1923. This is where a life of dedication, kindness, intelligence and thoughtfulness began. She was the oldest daughter of Paz Ortiz and Miquela Baca Ortiz. Inez also had 5 brothers and one sister (Pablo, Benjamin, Nicolas, Facundo, and Frances who precede her in death; to survive her is brother Alfred Ortiz.

Inez lived on a ranch in northeastern New Mexico and attended a one room school house. When Inez was 17 she lived on her own in Mosquero, NM to attend high school with the intention of graduating. She had heard that her grandmother, Fannie C. Ortiz was in ill health and impoverished. Inez cared for her until her death a few months later. Inez in her love of education returned to school and graduated from high school in June of 1942. Always a leader and independent Inez moved to Killeen, Texas where her brothers were already stationed. Jobs were plentiful and she found work in cafes, restaurant and dime stores.

Within a year Inez found the love of her life, Udall “Tex” Locklear. Tex was a sailor and very handsome and friendly. They married after the war in 1948 and were married for over 40 years. Tex passed away in 1986. They had no children, but many beloved pets and a ton of friends. Some of her friends included Elvis Presley in his early years and Perry Como. In the 50’s the couple lived in Texas, New Mexico and finally settle in Pueblo, CO where most her family had also settled to work at the Pueblo Ordinance Depot and the CF&I. Tex worked at the old Phillips 66 on 4th street, and Inez began her long career in baking and cooking at the old Kress, JJ Newberrie’s and Woolworth’s lunch counters. Inez also worked at Grand Café in in downtown Pueblo and ran the kitchen at the Klamm Shell in Bessemer. She even opened up her own restaurant in Boone, CO.

She won a contest sponsored by Kress as to what makes good customer service. Inez was given a letter of commendation, a cake (which she may have baked and decorated) and a round of applause. In Inez fashion, she told no one until we found the letter in her paperwork. She was meticulous in record keeping and attention to detail.

In 1965, Tex and Inez adopted 2 sons from a Catholic orphanage, Steve and Deacon Richard Duecker. As time would pass Richard married and had children. Tex and Inez had the sons, daughter-in-law and the grandchildren they always prayed for.

Inez was a gifted entrepreneur, always wanting to contribute and help and be part of a positive picture.

She was productive and hardworking. She was highly skilled, in sewing, accounting, cooking, baking, catering, and of course of being a terrific aunt to numerous nieces, nephews to include Gilbert and Diana Ortiz her caregivers.

Inez’s last job was at Ortiz Catering, where she prepared the food and managed the kitchen. As her life has many twists and turns, she met and was pictured with President Bill Clinton on his visit to Pueblo, where she fed him along with many Governors, Senators, and News people from all over the United States.

Inez was remarkable, given the place and the time she was born. She made her own success and her own opportunities and never quit when life presented an obstacle. She was family minded and she mattered to her mother and father, husband, brothers, and sister, to the many nieces and nephews that loved her and appreciated her humor, her stories and how she made us feel special.

Special thanks to: Staff and Director of Belmont Senior Care, Phyllis Sanchez; staff and administration of Pueblo Villa, Innovage of Pueblo, and Hospice.

Mass of Christian Burial 10a.m. Wednesday June 22, 2022, St. Joseph Catholic Church. Internment Roselawn Cemetery. Online condolences, www.angeluspueblo.com