Waelder youth remembered for always smiling

Courtney Orona is being remembered as someone who always had a smile on her face and someone people would want their daughters to look up to.

Orona, a sophomore-to-be at Waelder, died Saturday morning in a one-vehicle accident on I-10.

Department of Public Safety trooper Joel Johnson reported that Orona, 15, and her brother, Clay, 17, were traveling westbound on I-10 near Harwood at 8:18 a.m. when the Ford F-150 pickup truck in which they were traveling drifted into the center median and plunged off a railroad overpass near Mile Marker 639. The pickup burst into flames upon impact, according to the report.

Clay was able to exit the vehicle on his own following the crash, and assisted passersby at the scene to pull Courtney from the vehicle as they attempted to revive her.

Courtney was pronounced dead at the scene by Justice of the Peace Jesse Almarez at 9:36 a.m., while Clay was airlifted to University Hospital in San Antonio where he is expected to make a full recovery. Clay complained of back pain and suffered a laceration to his right arm from the accident.

Courtney’s death has the Waelder community in mourning as several of her friends and friends of the family have posted pictures and comments about her on Facebook.

One of her closest friends, Waelder sophomore Jeremy Gonzales, had plenty of positive things to say about his fallen friend.

“It hasn’t really hit me all the way yet (that Courtney’s gone), but it’s been pretty hard,” Gonzales said. “Courtney and I were very close – closer than people know. She was one of my best friends. We always laughed, joked and had a good time together. I was there for her when she needed to talk and she was there for me as well. We had a great relationship.”

Family friend Abelardo Ibarra remembers Courtney as a happy person who was always smiling.

“She could be in a bad mood, but you would’ve never known it because she always had a smile on her face,” Ibarra said.

Kimberley Ibarra – Abelardo’s daughter – played on the Waelder volleyball team with Orona last season. Orona participated in girls basketball and FFA as well as volleyball.

Waelder City Councilman Rocky Quintero, a friend of the Orona family, also submitted a post on Facebook about Courtney. Quintero coached Courtney during summer basketball in 2011.

“Courtney, we miss you,” Quintero posted. “And you were an extraordinary young woman – one (my daughter) Rosalie would be told to look up to. I loved coaching you, and we love you and your family. If only there was a coupon to see you one more time.”

Waelder junior Marissa Ramirez played volleyball and basketball with Courtney, and also shared some fun memories with her.

“Courtney was a very outgoing young lady whose favorite sport was volleyball,” Ramirez said. “I had the privilege of being on the same volleyball and basketball teams as her. I also happened to be one of her good friends. One thing that Courtney and I shared is our faith in God and the love of our families. She was such a spirited girl and was always laughing. Sometimes our coach would make us run because she was laughing too much in practice. I am very blessed that Courtney was part of my life and she will be dearly missed. I will carry her laughter with me forever.”

Visitation is set for 5-7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 23, at Zoeller Funeral Home in New Braunfels, followed by a Rosary at 7 p.m. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, Aug. 24, at Oakwood Baptist Church, New Braunfels.