Raymundo Francisco Orta Jr.

Raymundo “Ray” Francisco Orta Jr., age 53, of Anaconda, passed away surrounded by his loving family on September 2nd, 2022.

Ray was born to Raymundo Francisco Orta Sr. and Angela Mary Fischer on January 2nd, 1969 in Anaconda, MT.

Ray graduated from Anaconda Sr. High in 1987. He later attended The Music Institute of Seattle.

Ray was an avid musician, with great love and talent for any instrument he touched. He started his musical career early on playing in the High School Orchestra starting out playing the Cello.. A classically trained musician eventually being recruited as a teenager by the Butte symphony for first chair on the stand up bass. Ray played with the Butte Symphony from 1986-1987 and held the distinction of being the youngest musician recruited by Butte Symphony.  Ray would move on throughout his life and become proficient playing the classical bass and piano. Ray’s first true love was the guitar which he humorously called the “Gitfiddle” he would eventually master the instrument becoming very proficient and able to play many different styles, and creating his own style of rock n roll built off

of classical roots. Known for his dedication to perfection, persistent disciplined practice routine, meticulous attention to detail, many would say he would rival the greats. He joined his first garage band in 1985 Eruption. In 1988 he went on to form the band Exit 201, with his brother Marten and Best friends Jamel , Carl and Band Manager Sean. They released their album “Anaconda” in 1989,after spending months in Seattle recording. In 1990 they performed their first live concert at the Washoe Theater with PD2 and TJ Express,where Ray also played the Eddie Van Halen solo ‘Eruption’ as well as the ‘Suicide Solution’ by Randy Rhoads. In 1992 the band broke up to pursue individual goals, breaking the hearts of Exit 201 fans.

Ray worked for AWARE assisting children with coping and life skills to strive in their community. Of all of Ray’s occupations, AWARE gave him a sense of purpose and great enjoyment in his life. He was awarded with employee of the year in 1997. Although Ray held many occupations over the years, Aware inc always remained his passion, simply because of his love for children.

In 1992 he met the love of his life, Sharma Overton. Two years later they welcomed a baby boy Isaac Hunter Orta in December of 1994. Isaac was the light of his life. Sharma and Ray later separated. In 2007 he met the love of his life and partner Barb Kitchel. They married in 2008 and started on their many adventures through the mountains, lakes and National Parks.

Ray carried on his passion for music to his son Isaac. He would train him and impart on him the wisdom he obtained after a lifetime as a musician. One of the teachings that echoed Ray’s demand for perfection were his

words “practice does not make perfect, practice makes habits, perfect practice makes perfect.”

Ray had many passions in life, all of which he spent countless hours perfecting. He was a great craftsman, artist, and locksmith. He loved fishing with his family, camping, gold panning and creating his Ships in a bottle along with other various crafts. Anyone that knows Ray , knows he spent hours perfecting every piece of art he worked on. Delivering nothing but the best.

He is survived by his wife Barb Orta and his dogs Panda and Poncho, which always brought him great joy; his one and only Son Isaac Orta; mother Angela Borgan;  brother Marten Orta and sister Rachel Clark of Montana;  his sister Joycie Ramirez; brothers Jose and Daniel Orta of Texas; brother Joaquin, Francisco and sister Barbara Orta of Mexico; nephews Brandon Kitchel , Silas Orta, Gavin Ramirez, Isaiah Orta; nieces Jade Kitchel, Mckiayah Olhausen, and Maren Orta; aunt Eva(Phil) Ross; uncles Del Fischer , Kody(Tammy) Fischer, Fred( Kat) Fischer, Chris(Robin) Valdez along with numerous cousins and family in Texas and Mexico. He will forever be remembered by all of the special friends he met along the Journey.

He was preceded in Death by his brother Michael Orta, father Raymundo Francisco Orta Sr, grandmother Anne Beneke, grandfather Henry Fischer Sr., uncle Henry Fischer Jr, and his Foster Parents Don and Judy Peters.

Services, organized privately by the family, will be held September 10th at 2pm at the Church of Christ in Anaconda. A luncheon will follow.

Memorials are suggested to the family to offset funeral expenses, to Pintler Hospice of Anaconda, 118 E 7th St, Anaconda, MT 59711. Flowers for the service would also be greatly appreciated by the family.

Please visit below to offer the family a condolence or to share a memory of Ray.

Longfellow Finnegan Riddle Funeral Home and Cremation Services has been privileged to care for Ray and his family.