Francisco Ortega was born on August 29, 1948, in Emilio Carranza Nazas, Durango Mexico, to Francisco Ortega Castañeda and Maria de la Luz Franco Soto. He had four brothers and four sisters. He passed away in Houston, TX, on December 21, 2022. He lived in Torreon, Coahuila Mexico, where he married Constanza Zamora on June 24, 1973. They moved to Houston, Texas and started a family. He dedicated his life to Jehovah and was baptized on July 14, 1979. He worked hard and established himself as a master machinist. He worked over 25 years for NOV. He served Jehovah faithfully along with his wife, and enjoyed many privileges in the congregation, including being chosen to participate in a drama at a convention. He enjoyed traveling and used this as an opportunity to preach in rural areas in Mexico. Over the course of a 43 year marriage, he had two sons, eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. His wife Constanza died August 27, 2016.

After losing his first wife, he was fortunate to find love again. On August 31, 2018 he married Veronica Ruelas, adding four more grandchildren to his family. He continued to serve Jehovah despite health problems and a world pandemic. He and Vero participated in preaching activities using letter writing and attended meetings and conventions via Zoom. They often traveled to visit family or just to spend some time relaxing at the beach. They enjoyed public witnessing using the media cart.

Francisco, known affectionately as Kiko, Paco, or Pancho, was well loved by many. He had a funny sense of humor, often joking or playing around. He was trustworthy and honest, a true man of his word, who was always respectful of others. He was always generous and willing to help in any way he could. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his father, his sister Lucía Delgado, and his first wife. He is survived by his mother, his brothers Jesus, Alejandro, Jose and Juan Carlos, his sisters Socorro, Elisa and Esperanza; his wife Veronica, his sons and their wives Frank (Sara), Eddie (Cynthia); his grandchildren Justin, Anthony, Kaleb, Abby, Hector, Genesys, Natalie, Eddie II, Giada, Gabriel, Santiago and Samantha; and his great-grandchildren Samara, Joaquin and Joseph.

Friends are invited to visit with the family between 5 and 9 p.m., with a prayer service to begin at 7 p.m., on Thursday, December 29, at Klein Funeral Home - CyFair Northwest, 9719 Wortham Boulevard, Houston. A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, December 30, at Woodlawn Garden of Memories, 1101 Antoine Drive, Houston, TX 77055.