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Philanthropist Louise Ornelas has died; contributions to education, health care spanned decades

Louise Ornelas, a woman whose generosity has improved health care, education and the quality of life in East Texas, has died.

Her story of growing up poor in Arp to a life of philanthropy received national recognition in 1996 when she was awarded an Horatio Alger Award at a ceremony in Washington D.C. The Horatio Alger

Association of Distinguished Americans recognizes those who rise from humble beginnings and through hard work contribute significantly to society.

"There are so many more people who are more deserving than I am," Mrs. Ornelas said after being notified of her selection. "This award goes to presidents and people like Bob Hope. I'm just a little country girl."

Her childhood was spent on a tenant farm outside of Arp. A birthday party for the landowner's daughter proved a turning point.

"My mother made us dresses out of flour sacks for the birthday party and, after we had played for awhile, they turned the water hose on us," she once told the Tyler Morning Telegraph. "I decided then that I would never treat people the way we were treated that day."

Mrs. Ornelas was born to Bill and Minnie Lou Herrington in the small community of Arp. She was the second of seven children.

She first married Martin Eugene Pettis, the best friend of one her brothers. They moved to West Texas where he worked in the oil fields before being killed in a car accident. They had one son, Ricky.

She returned to East Texas and met and married Bob Rogers. They had six children.

In 1981, Louise and Bob Rogers founded TCA Cable in Tyler, an early entry in the rapidly growing and lucrative cable television industry.

TCA Cable expanded to have 883,000 customers in Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Mississippi, New Mexico, Idaho and Louisiana. It was sold to Cox Communications in 1999 for $3.5 billion. Cox later sold the company to Suddenlink.

The Rogers divorced and, in 1992, she married Joseph Z. Ornelas, an investor and businessman.

Mrs. Ornelas received honorary degrees from Tyler Junior College, Baylor University and East Texas

Baptist University for success in business and support of education.

In 2001, Mr. and Mrs. Ornelas received the T.B. Butler Award as Tyler's most outstanding citizens. In that same year Mrs. Ornelas was honored by the Texas Legislature for philanthropic deeds that benefit education, medicine and religious institutions.

"Guided by honest values, basic goodness and clear goals, Mrs. Ornelas is using her resources to make a real difference in the lives of countless people, and it is both a privilege and a pleasure to recognize her great contributions to this state," read the resolution presented at the state Capitol.

Mr. and Mrs. Ornelas also were praised for their generosity on the occasion of receiving the 2001 People of Vision award from East Texas Regional Branch of Prevent Blindness Texas.

"Jesus said, 'It's more blessed to give than to receive,''' Pastor David Dykes of Green Acres Baptist Church said. "In that respect, Lou and Joseph Ornelas are two of the most blessed people in East Texas, because they are so unselfish."

PHILANTHOPY

In 2016, the couple received the Galaxy Award from UT Health Northeast for funding scholarships for students in health care and research.

"The numerous heartfelt gifts that the Ornelas' have given to so many institutions, including UT Health Northeast, have improved health care, education and quality of life for all of us in East Texas," Dr. Kirk A. Calhoun, the hospital president, said in presenting the award. "Their leadership and generosity is inspiring."

Also in 2016, Christus Trinity Mother Frances Health System dedicated The Bill Herrington and Joseph Z. Ornelas HealthPark, a 43,500-square-foot medical facility located at Grande Boulevard and Texas Highway 110 near Whitehouse. Bill Herrington was Mrs. Ornelas' brother.

In 2002, the couple gave a large donation to Mother Frances Hospital's Heart Institute and Surgery Center now housed in the hospital's Joseph Z. and Louise H. Ornelas Tower.

Mr. and Mrs. Ornelas received the Mirabeau B. Lamar Medal in 2012 from The Council of Public University Presidents and Chancellors, Independent Colleges and Universities of Texas and Texas

Association of Community Colleges for contributions to Texas higher education

East Texas Baptist University, Tyler Junior College and The University of Texas at Tyler nominated them for the award.

The Ornelases have contributed millions to colleges to build and improve facilities and provide for scholarships.

"This year, over 25,000 college students will learn, interact, and live in buildings that were constructed through the generous contributions of Louise H. and Joseph Z. Ornelas," East Texas Baptist University President Dr. Dub Oliver once wrote in nominating the couple for an honor. "Louise and Joseph have supported all sectors of higher education in Texas including private universities, community colleges and public universities. This remarkable couple has made an unmistakable mark on higher education in Texas."

At ETBU, the couple's contributions have provided for a residence hall, spiritual life center, gym, stadium and student center, all of which bear their name.

At TJC, Ornelas helped underwrite the Rogers Student Center, the Louise H. and Joseph Z. Ornelas Residential Complex and the Ornelas Health & Physical Education Center. Other gifts include funding endowed scholarships and a women's athletics endowment.

At UT Tyler, the couple has given millions to build the university's dormitory, its first Fine and Visual Arts Complex and the Louise Herrington Patriot Center. Their gifts have provided for scholarships in nursing, engineering, fine arts and education and an endowed professorship. UT Tyler honored the Ornelases as its 2000 Patriots of the Year.

Thanks to a gift from Mrs. Ornelas, Baylor University in 2015 purchased a building as the new site of its Louise Herrington School of Nursing. She previously had endowed the university with a $13 million gift to fund the nursing school. She received Baylor University's Herbert H. Reynolds Exemplary Service Award in 1996.

The couple has been honored by Brook Hill School, a private school in Bullard, for contributions. They gave money for Ornelas Hall, Lauderdale Hall, Herrington Sports Center and the Ann Kimrey Gymnatorium, which is named after Mrs. Ornelas' sister.

HONORS, SERVICE

Mrs. Ornelas received the 2005 Heart of a Champion Award from the Northeast Texas Fellowship of Christian Athletes. East Texas Communities Foundation recognized the couple with its Isadore Roosth Outstanding Philanthropist Award in 2000.

She was honored at the Women in Tyler Day Luncheon in 2004 as one of the city's women who "make good things happen." The Ornelases received a Star Award as longtime supporters of The University of Texas at Tyler's Cowan Center and the Hope Award from the Tyler Salvation Army for exemplary volunteer service. The Louise H. and Joseph Z. Ornelas Center is the headquarters of the Salvation Army in Tyler.

Her memberships over the years included East Texas Symphony League, Salvation Army, UT Tyler Development Board, President's Association and Friends of the Arts, Cowan Center's Advisory Boards and and on boards at East Texas Baptist University and Tyler Junior College.

Many organizations and projects have benefited from the couple's generosity and volunteerism including Texas Association for Symphony Orchestras, PATH, Camp Fannin Association, Wallace's Saddle Up, TASCA, American Cancer Society, Talsu Kristiga School, Habitat for Humanity of Smith County, Literacy Council of Tyler, Children's Advocacy Center, American Diabetes Association, East Texas Food Bank, Children Are A Gift Foundation, Tyler Day Nursery, American Diabetes Association, Alzheimer's Alliance of North Texas, Junior League of Tyler, Texas Chest Foundation, Meals on Wheels, Bethesda Health Clinic, Boy Scouts of America, East Texas Baptist Association, East Texas Crisis Center, Women's Symphony League, Talsi Christian School Fund, Sunrise Prayer Breakfast, Head Start, Texas College, Discover Life, Light up Tomorrow Fritz Smith Evangelism Association.

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