Michael L. Orozco, 76, of Gering, passed away Saturday, August 28, 2021, at Swedish Medical Center in Englewood, Colorado. His funeral mass will be held 10:00 a.m., Saturday, September 4, 2021, at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Scottsbluff with Father Michael McDonald officiating. The family requests you wear Nebraska Huskers’ attire. Military honors will be provided by Nebraska Army National Guard. Cremation will follow the mass. Friends may visit from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m., Friday, September 3, 2021, at Bridgman Funeral Home in Scottsbluff with a rosary to be held at 7:00 p.m. Memorials may be made to the Panhandle Humane Society. Online condolences may be left at www.bridgmanfuneralhome.com.
Michael was born September 28, 1944, at Scottsbluff, Nebraska to Jose and Angeline (Correa) Orozco. He attended elementary school at Haig, graduating from the Scottsbluff High School. He then graduated from barber college in California. He served in the United States Army from 1965 to 1967 and was honorably discharged. He received the National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, and Sharpshooter Rifle Medal. On April 28, 1968, he married Lucy Vallejo at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Scottsbluff.
He worked various occupations in his earlier years. He did janitorial work in his later years, at the Monument Mall and then Orcom Solutions before his retirement. He was an amazing bowler and softball player. He enjoyed music, watching wrestling, Nebraska volleyball, and Nebraska football.
Survivors include his wife, Lucy Orozco; children, Valarie (Leo) Ysac, Stacy Orozco (Salvador Gonzalez), Jena Orozco, and Brandi (Michael) De Santiago; grandchildren, Joshua (Isela) Orozco, Chelsea (Daniel) Perez, Gabriela Gonzalez-Orozco, Alejandra “Spooky” Gonzalez-Orozco, Lluvia Orozco, Aurora Verdin Orozco, Ceasar “Lalo” Orozco, and Victoria Orozco; great-grandchildren, Adrian Smith, Fabian Orozco, Lenisia Orozco, Aneliza Orozco, Quintyn Perez, and Daniel Perez Jr.; sister, Virginia (Richard) Bales; brothers, Amador (Carla) Orozco, and Edward (JoAnn) Orozco; numerous nieces and nephews; and beloved cat TigerLilly and many other fur-grandchildren.
Michael was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Rudy Orozco; sister-in-law, Josie Orozco; niece, Amanda Orozco; and granddaughter, Mikal “Mikie” Orozco.