Alex P. Hurtado, 70, real estate executive, former Ogden City councilman and past member of the state Board of Regents, died of a heart attack March 22 at Ogden's McKay-Dee Hospital.
He had also been director of national Hispanic affairs in the Ronald Reagan presidency. Hurtado had served three terms on the Ogden Council, from 1971-81 and was appointed the director of political affairs of the Republican National Committee in 1981. He was the first member of a minority group to be appointed to the national Republicans. He had attended his first political mass meeting at the age of 18.
He was widely considered instrumental in the establishment of the applied technology centers in Weber and Davis counties.
"Alex was a good friend," former Utah Gov. Norm Bangerter said. "He was energetic in everything he did and always wanted to do what was right for the community."
Hurtado attended Judge Memorial High School, where he was a member of the school's first state championship football team. He had humble beginnings and had worked shining shoes as a teenager at the Florsheim store in downtown Salt Lake City. He also attended the University of Utah.
He worked as a real-estate broker and served on many other government committees over the years.
Funeral services are set at 10 a.m. Thursday, Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 900 S. 200 East, Salt Lake City. Friends may call prior to the service, or today between 6 and 7 p.m., at Neil O'Donnell and Sons Mortuary, 372 E. 100 South.
Burial will be in Mount Calvary Cemetery.