David Joseph Oñate, 64, of Van Horn, Texas, passed away in his home on Wednesday, September 9, 2026.

David was born on June 28, 1962, in Van Horn to Robert and Crispina "Peni" Oñate, now Luckey. He was a beloved father, grandfather, son, brother, and friend who will be remembered for his sense of humor, generosity, hard work, and, above all, his love for his family.

David was the fourth of five children born to Robert and Peni: Cori, Robb, Lina, David and Liza. Growing up as a military child, the Oñate family moved from place to place, including California, Nebraska, and Hawaii. He returned to Van Horn in 1978 and graduated from Van Horn High School with the Class of 1980.

After high school, David traveled and worked around the state of Texas as a mechanic and seismographer. He settled in Van Horn where he married Rocio Urias in 1991 and raised their three children: Brandon, Rebekah and Jessah. He was an employee of Union Pacific Railroad, where he started his railroad career as a switchman/conductor before becoming a locomotive engineer in 1996. He worked for Union Pacific Railroad for nearly 35 years.

David enjoyed listening to 70's and 80's rock music while he worked on home projects and while cooking out with his family. As a devoted father and grandfather, and lover of sports, David traveled around West Texas and parts of New Mexico cheering on his children and his grandchildren, Liam and Taya.

Above all, David cherished his family. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.

He is survived by his son Brandon Oñate and his wife Sabrina, his eldest daughter Rebekah Oñate-Vélez and her husband Miguel, and his youngest child Jessah Oñate, all of Van Horn, Texas; his grandchildren Liam and Taya Oñate, of Van Horn, Texas; his ex-wife and best friend Rocio U. Apgar, also of Van Horn, Texas; his mother Peni Luckey of Brandon, Florida; his sisters Corinne Oñate, of Albuquerque, New Mexico and Velina Oñate-Nelson of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; his brother-in-law Jesse Irwin of Missoula, Montana; and all his nieces and nephews: Isaiah Kennedy, Rita Cardona, Robert Cardona, Kellie Turner, Deanna Dennison, Cynthia Dennison, Damien Dennison, Antonio Dennison, Allison Oñate, Rachel Vikander, Caitlin Arndt, Sierra Irwin, Jasmine Quintana, Karina Gonzalez, Luis Gonzalez, Iris Urías, Ilyana Urías, and Idalya Urías.

He was preceded in death by his brother Robert "Robb" Oñate and his little sister Eliza "Liza" Oñate-Irwin; his father Robert Oñate.

A Rosary will be held at 9:00 AM on Saturday, September 19, 2026, at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church in Van Horn, Texas. A funeral mass, officiated by Father Sergio Legaretta, will take place at 10:00 am, also at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church. Burial will follow at Van Horn Cemetery.

Pallbearers: Michael Urías, Isaiah Kennedy, Marko Kennedy, Efren Gonzalez, Felipe Gonzalez, Miguel Vélez, Michael Baeza, and Antonio Dennison

Honorary Pallbearers: Liam Oñate, Taya Oñate