Oracio "Odie" G. Dominguez

Horacio (Odie) Dominguez, 83, a longtime resident of Grants, NM, passed away on Thursday, July 27, 2017, in Rio Rancho, NM where he lived for seven years. He was born on September 2, 1933 in San Rafael, NM to Refugio (Ray) and Guadalupe Dominguez. He died of natural causes. At 17, Odie enlisted in the US Marine Corps, answering his call to duty, by fighting in the Korean War. He earned a Purple Heart and took great pride in being a Marine. Throughout his life, he greeted all Marines with the “Semper Fi” motto. He met his beautiful bride, Sophie Orozco, while stationed in China Lake, CA. They married in 1954 and raised their family in San Rafael and Grants, NM. After returning from Korea, Odie worked in the uranium mines before beginning his 37-year career as a letter carrier. He was affectionately known as the “whistling mailman.” He also owned several businesses in the Grants area. Odie was a Little League baseball coach for many years and was active in the American Legion and Knights of Columbus organizations. Odie is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Sophie. He had three sons: Odie Jr. of San Antonio, TX, Russell and wife, Beth, of Midland, TX, and Jacob and wife, Christina, of Rio Rancho, NM. He had two daughters: Tammie of Vancouver, WA and Nettie of Rio Rancho, NM. He had five brothers: Bernie and wife, Lila, of Gallup, NM, Eloy and wife, Audrey, of Oxnard, CA, Joe and wife, Cherry, of Bakersfield, CA, Richard and wife, Gloria, of Las Vegas, NV, and Martin and wife, Theresa, of Algodones, NM. He had two sisters: Shirley Gonzales and husband, Santiago (Jimmy), of Grants, NM, and Annie Chavez and husband, Anthony, of Arlington, TX. He had fourteen grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, and thirty one nieces and nephews. Odie was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Herman Dominguez. A Rosary will be recited on Wednesday, August 2, 2017, 10:00 AM, at St. Theresa Catholic Church in Grants, NM. A memorial Mass will be held at 11:00 AM, with a burial immediately following at Grants Cemetery. Serving as pallbearers will be Frank Dominguez, Bernie Dominguez Jr., Christopher Dominguez, Joe Dominguez Jr., James Gonzales, Vanessa Dominguez-Sipes, Anthony Chavez, and Gabe Trujillo Jr. Honorary pallbearers are Janelle O’Rourke, Shontelle Vincent, Marc Vincent, Meg E Ann Smiley, Andrea Dominguez, Sergio DeLeon, Monica deLeon, Brenna Dominguez, Kara Dominguez, Cole Dominguez, Jared Dominguez, Patrick Montano, Nico Montano and Noah Montano. A reception will be held after the burial. Information will be provided at the service. Odie will be missed by his family and friends. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to St. Joseph Mission School, P.O. Box 370, San Fidel, NM 87049 where Antonio Trujillo is the principal. Antonio was like a son to Odie and a brother to the Dominguez siblings and Odie would really like to have this be his last good contribution to assist this Mission School and Antonio. For more details, and for those wishing to sign the guest book, please visit www.harris-hanlonmortuary.com.