Jose Ornelas, a San Joaquin city councilmember since 2014, died over the weekend, reportedly of a COVID-19-related illness.
“The City of San Joaquin is heartbroken to announce that our Councilmember and beloved member of the community, Jose Ornelas, passed away unexpectedly this past weekend,” San Joaquin City Manager Elizabeth Nunes said in a news release.
Nunes lauded Ornelas’ work on behalf of “organizations from the community of San Joaquin” and his vocal efforts “about improving his community and the region.”
Fought for Clean, Safe Drinking Water
Ornelas, who ran a tax preparation and immigration consulting business in San Joaquin, unsuccessfully challenged incumbent Brian Pacheco for the District 1 seat on the Fresno County Board of Supervisors in 2018.
Asked why he was embarking on the longshot bid, Ornelas told The Fresno Bee’s Tim Sheehan that residents in small western Fresno County communities weren’t getting the representation they deserved.
“I see a lot of injustice and poverty on the west side,” said Ornelas, citing contaminated drinking water in Cantua Creek.
Ornelas worked hard to bring clean, safe drinking water to west-side communities. He was in the Water Education for Latino Leaders‘ inaugural class of fellows and a member of the WaterNow Alliance.
ABC30’s Corin Hoggard said on Twitter that Ornelas’ death was COVID-19 related.
The Fresno Bee’s Cresencio Rodriguez-Delgado said on Twitter that Ornelas died Sunday night in Mexico City, but the family did not disclose the cause of death.
Passionate About Education
Ornelas won election to the Fresno County Democratic Central Committee in March.
He was passionate about education. In 2019, he earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Purdue Global University. He previously graduated from Fresno State with a bachelor’s in mathematics and from Kaplan University with an associate’s degree in paralegal studies, according to his biography at the Water Education for Latino Leaders website.
Ornelas was born in Jalisco, Mexico. He and other family members moved to the United States when he was 13 to be with his father, a migrant farmworker in the San Joaquin Valley.
Ornelas is survived by his wife, Nadia, and five children: Jose Jr., Gustavo, Angel, Oscar, and Shayla.
Dr. Randy Palmer
July 20, 2020 at 9:09 pm
Jose was a great friend, a great person, a leader in so many areas of life! He contributed so much to the world, and we are thankful that we got to know him. I will miss my friend Jose. I will see you again soon my brother! Peace be with you!
Eliseo Gamino
July 20, 2020 at 11:24 pm
“José Ornelas was a good father, husband, coach, and dedicated to work hard to become the best public servant in Fresno County. When the families of San Joaquin (Ca.) demanded quality drinking water. Jose was determined to work with California Senator Anna M. Caballero to do just that; an 8 million grant was allocated!” —Eliseo Gamiño, President (Central Valley Leadership Round Table)
Cecilia’s Restaurant
July 20, 2020 at 11:51 pm
My family and I consider ourselves lucky to have met this great man. He was the bookkeeper for our family business and would do a great job. He was honest and passionate in all the work he did. He was our friend and he will be greatly missed. Descansa en paz amigo
Mónica Blanchet
July 21, 2020 at 9:16 am
El sr José Ornelas era de gran ayuda a la comunidad el siempre estaba ahí para quien ocupara algo. sabia escuchar y luchaba para que San Joaquín prosperara .
Andrew Juarez
July 21, 2020 at 6:46 pm
Que muerte tan rara bueno que Dios lotenga en su gloria
Pablo Ortiz
July 21, 2020 at 8:37 pm
Jose Ornelas was an inspiration for many Latinos like myself. This news hits me in the heart. I’ll always remember how he welcomed me and a group of friends.