Luis Montes de Oca

By Iliana Z. Gamez/The Daily Dispatch

Luis Montes De Oca was born and raised in Pirtleville in 1936. He has resided in Pirtleville for about 35 years with wife Norma. Together they had two children, Maria and Luis Jr. Montes De Oca. Maria age 43 has a daughter, Lyandra Rodriguez age 17 who will be going off to the University of Arizona. Luis Jr. age 41 has three children, Ilysia and Luis III Montes De Oca ages 9 and 13 and Jessie Villanueva age 23.

As a young man Montes De Oca attended Douglas High School and right after graduation at the age of 18, he left to serve in the United States Airforce. He was stationed in Europe where he served four years as a dog trainer for sentry dogs, German Shepards. Montes De Oca said, "I love animals, so I loved my job, I love training dogs to detect infiltrators, bombs, weapons and the enemy." "I'm also glad I got to serve my country, while doing what I love, working with animals."

After his four years of serving in the airforce, Montes De Oca came home but continued serving in the military active duty and the Air National Guard in Tucson, Arizona. Then after 30 years he retired in 1985 and returned home to begin his working career between Bisbee and Douglas. Upon his return he began working in Douglas for General Motors as the Parts manager for Southern Arizona Auto Company, which was then owned by the Mason family. Montes De Oca worked for General Motors for 9 years very happily then took a new job in Bisbee with a Chevrolet Dealer where he worked in auto parts retail for 14 years. Continuously, Montes De Oca did a lot of trucking for CTI (Cement Transporters Incorporated, which was his last job.

Now Montes De Oca enjoys his free time with his family and has a hobby in which he daily spends time on. His hobby is to repair old cars, classics. Montes De Oca has his own repair shop at home and has 10 cars he works on daily and hopes to sell in the future. "I enjoy working on my cars, they're classics and I like to fix them, paint them, and make them new again," said Montes De Oca. He also volunteers and does light maintenance work for Lestonnac Pre-School.

Family is very important to Montes De Oca, he married Norma in 1959 on July 4 and this year celebrated 47 years of marriage. Montes De Oca met his wife in Douglas in 1953 and since then he's been happily married. His wife Norma is now a homemaker who is well known among the communities of Pirtleville and Douglas. Montes De Oca said, "My wife Norma has many friends in town, has been a good companion and a great means of support throughout our marriage, she's been my friend."

As a father Montes De Oca has worked hard to provide for his family both economically and emotionally. He says he has tried to be there for them and is proud of what he's accomplished for his family. Montes De Oca said, "It's a challenge to be a grandfather, but I take the responsibility with a positive outlook and I hope I've set a good example for my grandchildren whom I'm am close with and love." Montes De Oca says his grandchildren enjoy spending the summer with him and his wife, they look forward to their grandchildren growing up. He also looks forward to Lyandra's experience at the University of Arizona and Jesse's safe return from the war in Iraq.

Montes De Oca said, "I have a good relationship with my son and daughter, they've accomplished what I expected them to and I am proud of them."

Montes De Oca likes to stay active in the community and be of help, he has participated in a number of clubs and organizations that aid the community and its people for at least 20 years. He has been a member of the Kiwanis Club, American Legion and is co-founder of Pirtleville cemetery committee. Montes De Oca is also a member of the Fire District and in his next four-year election, he hopes to build a new fire station building for Pirtleville. "Pirtleville has been neglected for many years by the county government and I'm looking forward to working with the Pirtleville CAN to bring some improvements," said Montes De Oca. He also gets involved in the Democrat Party and is an active member of the Pirtleville CAN (Community Action Network). Montes De Oca occasionally attends unions with friends from military and attends ex-military reunions. Aside from attending reunions, Montes De Oca helps sponsor reunions of Pirtleville Alumni. The Pirtleville Alumni is an all guy group called The Boyz.

Montes De Oca is glad to help and volunteer in his community and as long as his health permits he hopes to be of great help to the community. "I think the community of Pirtleville should be proud of its new building and services, enjoy them and take care of them."

"I am easy going, like to be honest and truthful but stick to my guns when I disagree with something," said Montes De Oca. He gives a lot of credit to his accomplishments and character to his family and friends. "I appreciate having all the friends I do, my neighbors and the company of people, I think both Douglas and Pirtleville have a good future," said Montes De Oca.

If you have a suggestion for a Friend & Neighbor interview, call us at 220-8775 or email editor@douglasdispatch.com.