WALSENBURG– Orlando E. Herrera, 82, passed away November 27, 2010. He was preceded in death by parents Joe and Eva Herrera and brother Joe Herrera, Jr.. Orlando is survived by his nephews Charles (Carla) Herrera of Naperville, Illinois and Chris (Erin) Herrera of Pueblo, Colorado. He is also survived by his stepchildren Victor (Lisa) Lopez, Valerie Lopez Deardorff, Daniel Lopez, Diane (Mark) Roberson and Louis D. Montoya. Orlando has 11 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren. Orlando was born on June 10, 1928 at a mine camp in Gordon, Colorado. He served as an Aviation Machinist in the United States Navy for 22 years during the Korean and Viet Nam wars. Most of his work was on aircraft carriers in the Pacific. He amassed several medals for his honorable service. During his Navy career, Orlando was an accomplished USS Boxer.
After a brief retirement from the Navy, he began a second career as Clubhouse Manager of the Walsenburg Golf Club. He enjoyed and took great pleasure in the 27 years he managed the golf club until his retirement in 2001. The Walsenburg City Council proclaimed December 5, 2001 “Orlando Herrera Day” in appreciation of his work at the Golf Club. The annual Walsenburg Spring Golf Tournament was renamed the Orlando Cup in 2001 in his honor.
He was a member of the United States Navy Fleet Reserve, the VFW 2643, the American Legion 0016, Fraternal Order of Eagles, and the Walsenburg Golf Association.
Orlando had a genuine love of people, animals and sports. Throughout his years in Walsenburg, he had a positive impact on many lives through coaching and sponsoring youth sports and mentoring young kids. Orlando was a kind and generous man who was loved and respected by all. He will be sadly missed by the many people whose lives he touched. There will be a vigil and memorial held on Friday, December 3, 2010, 7 pm at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, followed by the burial at North St. Mary Cemetery, Walsenburg, CO. A gathering of family and friends will follow the funeral service at the Walsenburg Community Center.
