Benito J. Orona Jr

On Friday, February 13, 2026, Benito J. Orona Jr., 74 of Alexandria, Virginia passed away peacefully in his native home in West Texas.

Benito was born June 12, 1951, in Pecos, Texas, the son of the late Benito and Elodia Jimenez Orona. He met the love of his life in his late 20's and years later married the beautiful late Olga Vasquez Hernandez Orona in 1997 and became "Papps" to Gracie, Steve, and Benny who he adored.

Benito worked for the U.S. Department of Labor in Washington D.C. for 17 years retiring in 2017. His role was providing policy guidance regarding the agricultural foreign labor certification programs.

Junior High School Certificate, East Pecos Junior High School, Pecos, Texas, 1966 High School Diploma, Pecos High School, 1970, Pecos, Texas,

Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy, University of California, San Jose, 1976, San Jose, California Master's degree in international relations, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Faculty of Political and Social Sciences 1981

Benito is survived by his children two sons Steve (Ana) Apolinar of Barstow, Texas, Benny (Mariah) Apolinar of Odessa, Texas and one daughter Grace Apolinar of San Antonio, Texas one brother Manuel (Blanca) J. Orona of Austin, Texas, three sister's Lily (Manuel) Villanueva of Pecos, Texas. Irma (Leroy) Rodriguez of Pecos, Texas and Debra (Bobby) Hughes of Midland, Texas. Along with many grandchildren, nephews, nieces, friends, and colleagues he considered family all over the world.

Benito is preceded in death by his beautiful wife Olga Orona, his parents, Benito M. Orona and Elodia J. Orona of Pecos, Texas, sister Elva Orona Sanchez of Odessa, Texas and nephew Alexander Matthew Galindo of Midland, Texas

Benito was an Independent Scholar. "Political Developments Leading to the Establishment of the BPA."

Benito was recognized as a recipient of the "Becas Para Aztlan" program in 1979 and is acknowledged for his dedication to the Chicano movement and as a representative of the Nation Aztlan.

Benito's most treasured hobby was fly fishing in Maine. John 14:1-3

Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

Memorial Mass for Benito will be held on Tuesday, March 17, 2026 at Santa Rosa de Lima Catholic Church at 10:00 am in Pecos, Texas