Fernando Smithwick Ochoa, Sr.
GREENWOOD
Fernando Smithwick Ochoa, Sr., 81 of Greenwood, died June 6, 2024. Viewing will be 8 a.m. - 9 p.m. and a Celebration of Life from 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. on June 13, at Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home Chapel in Midland. Services will be 10 a.m. June 14, at First Baptist Church of Stanton. Interment will follow at Evergreen Cemetery in Stanton.
Fernando Smithwick Ochoa, Sr. was born on May 31, 1943, in Alice, to Jose Ochoa and Eugenia Smithwick Ochoa. After living in places such as Lamesa and Stanton, he brought his family to Midland Greenwood, where he lived for 46 years. He loved spending time with his family, playing sports, tending to his animals, listening to music as well as watching his grandchildren play sports or perform. You could often find him watching a good Western movie. He retired from the oil field in 2020 after 60 years in the field. He will be most remembered for his sense of humor and smile.
He is survived by his wife of 54 years Soila “Sally” Ochoa; his children Silvia Ochoa Gamboa, Fernando Ochoa, Jr. and his wife Erica Ochoa and daughter Naya Inez Ochoa, Hilbert Ochoa and his wife Katy Ochoa and sons Wesley Miguel Ochoa and William Jose Ochoa, Ruben Ochoa and his wife Cecilia Ochoa and daughter Amree Candida Ochoa and son Angelo Ruben Ochoa; his brothers Robert Ochoa and his wife Margaret of Pasadena, Joe Ochoa of Temple, Luis Ochoa and his wife Lupe of Big Spring, Albert Ochoa and his wife Tammy of New Braunfels, Juan “Johnny” Ochoa and his wife Mary of Big Spring; sisters Olga Cerdna, Norma Rodriguez and her husband Rod Rodriguez, Josephine Ochoa and her husband Ralph Jimenez all of Big Spring; brother-in-law Mariano Granados of Big Spring, as well as numerous nephews, nieces, cousins and friends.
He is preceded in death by his sister Odilia Granados, sister Oralia Ochoa, brother Johnny Ochoa, parents Eugenia Smithwick Ochoa and Jose Ochoa, and his son-in-law Eddie Gamboa.
Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Midland. Online condolences can be made at www.npwelch.com.
- Thomas Risher Newman, 82 of Stanton, Feb. 29, 2024. Services were Mar. 6, at First Baptist Church Big Spring. Interment will follow at Trinity Memorial Park. He was born on Dec. 16, 1941, in Big Spring to Thomas and Kawana Newman. He went to grade school in Lomax and graduated high school in Stanton, where he played football and ran track. He was active in 4-H, showing lambs and received the Gold Star Award for his record book.
He married Marilyn Sale on June 21, 1963. They had three children Kevin, Kendall, and Kody. Tom and Marilyn would have been married 61 years this coming June. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Stanton. He served on the Stanton ISD school board. Served as a director of the American Chianina Association, American Jr. Rodeo Association, and the Barrel Futurities of America.
Together with Marilyn they built a close-knit family. He had a love for farming and ranching. He also loved helping his kids and grandkids compete in stock shows and rodeos. Tom in his later years enjoyed quail hunting with his dogs and going to Ruidoso to watch his racehorses. One of his highlights was winning the Ruidoso Futurity in 2017. Those who knew him knew he loved a good dog, a good horse, and a real show calf. He was a very humble man; however, he did everything to the best of his ability and found success in nearly every endeavor.