Joe "Jody" M. Orona

January 19, 1954 - October 20, 2018

Joe “Jody” M. Orona, 64, of Midland, passed away on Saturday, October 20, 2018 after courageously battling four years of cancer. He is preceded in death by his father, Joe Orona. Jody was born January 19, 1954 in Sweetwater, Texas to Joe and Rosalva Orona. He was raised in Odessa, Texas and graduated from Ector High School in 1973. Jody first started his music career at the age of 14 when his mom brought him an electric guitar and amplifier. Shortly thereafter, Jody was asked to play the bass in a band. Learning to play the bass guitar led Jody to be named one of the best bass players in West Texas. Throughout his career, he played with numerous bands, including: Cruz Carrasco and the Sting Rays, Rhythm Aces and Lady Blue, and Tortilla Factory, whose Grammy nominated All That Jazz album included 5 tracks with Jody playing bass. Jody is survived by his mother, Rosalva Orona; wife, Sandra Kay Orona; sons, Jacob Orona and wife Sandra, Israel Orona, Jason Orona and wife Deidra, Daniel Orona, Joe Orona; and daughter, Dana Martinez and husband Vito; 14 grandchildren; and 9 great grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother Jimmy Orona and wife Cynthia; four sisters, Bellan Jones, Yolanda De La Garza and husband John, Norma Rivera and husband Raymond, and Carla Ontiveroz and husband Frank; and numerous loving nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, and uncles. The family would like to thank the Emergency Room Staff at Midland Memorial and Hospice of Midland for the care they provided to Jody. A Celebration of Life will be held January 19, 2019, time and location to be announced at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Jody’s name to The Musicians Cancer Fund at Sweet Relief (www.sweetrelief.org).