Jose "Joe" Antonio Ortiz

Jose Joe Antonio Ortiz, beloved father, son, brother, uncle, and friend, passed away on Wednesday, October 30, 2013 at his home in Brownsville. Joe was born in
Brownsville, Texas in 1952, the only son of four children born to Jose Antonio Ortiz Fernandez and Marta Alonso de Celada who had moved here from Santander, Spain.

Joe spent his early years in Matamoros, Mexico where he made many lifelong friends. The family moved to Brownsville in 1964, where he attended St. Josephs Academy high school, excelling in academics and sports. Joe attended St. Edwards University in Austin, where he played rugby on the universitys team and graduated with a bachelors degree in business.

Upon graduating from St. Edwards, Joe returned to the Rio Grande Valley to join the family business of farming in South Texas and Mexico.

Joe will always be remembered for his enduring loyalty to his family and friends. Joe was known for his calm unassuming nature and optimistic view of things. Joe was an avid hunter and outdoorsman with a sense of adventure. Joe developed a strong passion for cooking later in his life and was famous for his Paella and other well researched Spanish recipes that he prepared for friends and family. However, without a doubt, his greatest joy and pride in life were his three children and celebrating their successes. Only weeks ago, Joe celebrated a fathers most joyous event when he walked his daughter down the aisle at her wedding.

Joe was preceded in death by his father, Jose Antonio Ortiz Fernandez.

Joe is survived by his mother, Marta C. de Ortiz his three children, his daughter, Rebeca Ortiz Barlow and her husband Peter, his son, Antonio Ortiz, and his son, Wayo Ortiz his sisters and their spouses, Marti and Ken Schaefer, Ana and Pepe Machado, and Belinda and DeWitt Gayle and numerous nieces and nephews who will all miss their Tio Jose.

A holy rosary will be recited at 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 3, 2013, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 602 E. Elizabeth St., Brownsville, Texas. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, November 4, 2013, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church.

Pepe Machado, Oscar Garza, Arnulfo Rodriguez, Fernando Rodriguez, Anton Esteve, Mike Garca, Pancho Galvn and Emilio Snchez will serve as honorary pallbearers.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts in Joes name may be made to the Vannie E. Cook Jr. Childrens Cancer Clinic, 101 W. Expressway 83, McAllen, Texas 78503, 9566619840, www.vanniecook.org or the Guadalupe Regional Middle School, 1214 E. Lincoln Street, Brownsville, Texas 78521, www.guadaluperegionalmiddleschool.com.

Service

Recitation of the Holy Rosary

Sacred Heart Catholic Church
602 E. Elizabeth
Brownsville, TX  78520
Sunday, November 3, 2013
5:00 p.m.

Memorial Mass

Sacred Heart Catholic Church
602 E. Elizabeth
Brownsville, TX  78520
Monday, November 4, 2013
11:00 a.m.

Memorial Contributions

1214 Lincoln
Brownsville, TX  78521


101 W. Expressway 83
McAllen, TX  78503