Seventh Annual Lee Orosco Memorial Ride Raises Funds For Local, Area Scholarships

Lee Orosco was a longtime Grant County resident, and he had a passion for community. When he passed away in 2016, after he suffered a fatal arrhythmia.

"He was an accident at Pioneer Communications and broke his ankle," said Orosco's widow, Angela. "He went in to have surgery to fuse his ankle and two days after the surgery he died."

Orosco had worked for Pioneer Communications in Ulysses for 25 years as an outside plant technician.

Daughter Bailey Orosco, smiled as she remembered her father.

"He loved being a part of the community," Bailey said. "He was a wrestling coach and he coached several other things for the Rec when my little brother was involved."

Bailey and her father share the love of wrestling - she is the wrestling coach for girl's wrestling in Ulysses on the Middle School level.

Angela said Lee never knew a stranger.

"Nobody was a stranger to him," she said. "He treated everyone like family and friends. If you came over, you would always eat. You were only a guest one time and after that you had to serve yourself and get whatever you wanted."

Bailey recalled one of her dad's special treats.

"He loved pickle snow cones," she said. "He would crush up ice and have some pickle juice. He would be eating one already by the time I would get home from school."

After he passed, Bailey said the family wanted to give back like he did.

"We do the memorial ride so we can raise money to do scholarships for seniors in high school," Bailey said. "This was our seventh year to do the memorial ride. He was a resident of Grant County all of his life - he grew up here."

Bailey and her siblings are all graduates of Ulysses High School

Bailey said they raise enough money each year to provide several $500 scholarships.

"Last year we gave out three in Ulysses, and one each in Garden City, Hugoton, Lakin and Syracuse."

Those interested in the scholarships fill out applications they can get from their school counselor's office.

A friend of Orosco's, Barry Ungles, originally came up with the idea for the ride, which in the beginning was organized by the Southwest Riders.

Two years ago, the family took over the organizing when those prior found they no longer had time to keep it going.

The ride begins at the residence of Stephanie Barrios in Ulysses. From there, participants follow a route that takes them to Garden City, Holcomb, Syracuse, Johnson, and finally back to Ulysses. Participants pay $20 for single and $30 for couples. Local businesses also donate door prizes and T-shirts are sold.

"All of the money raised goes towards the scholarships," Angela said. "This year we raised right around $5,000. There were 43 motorcycles and four cars."

Among the riders were Bailey; her brother, Otto, who rode Orosco's bike; and Angela, who rode in a car. Danielle, another one of Orosco's children, helped at one of the event stops.

Registration begins at 10:30 a.m. on the day of the event. Kick stands up by noon and the event concludes by 5:30.

The family is very appreciative of all who support the event.

"(We) would like to thank all of those who came to the ride and those who donated," the family said. "Without you, we would not be able to continue to give out scholarships in memory of Lee. Lee was always supportive of our younger generations getting to follow their dreams. With these scholarships, we are able to assist them in their dreams in memory of Lee. All of the businesses and people who donated are a major part of making the Lee Orosco Memorial Ride successful. We hope our community continues to support them as they support us."