Ray Ortiz

Ray Ortiz, passed away on August 4, 2015, from a lengthy battle with pulmonary asbestos fibrosis. He is survived by his loving wife, Carmen; daughters: Arlette Smith (Melvin) Nacogdoches, TX; Ginette Harwell (Max) Herndon, VA; Denise Park (Doug) El Paso, TX, and son Dr. Dennis Ortiz (Nikki) Southlake, TX.; grandchildren and great grandchildren: Valeri Sims (John) Mason, Peyton, Chesney, Desney,; Brian Trobaugh (Brandilyn) Taylor, Camdyn; Heather Catalfamo (Mike), Anthony, Nicolas; Dr. Courtney Harwell; Troy Harwell (Adrienne) Madison; Hillary Haynes (Chris); Jeffrey Park (Jen) Piper; Travis Park (Courteney); Dustin Ortiz (Christina); and Dillon Ortiz; and sister-in-law Elvira Ortiz. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews, grand nieces and nephews, and cousins here and in Mexico. He was born on August 7, 1927 in El Paso, TX. He is preceded in death by our mother, Martha Lopez Ortiz, his sister, Elia Licon, and his brother Rudy Ortiz, as well as his parents. He attended Morehead and El Paso High School. After graduation, he enlisted in the Navy and was assigned to the U.S.S. Riverside APA 102, Amphibious Troop Transport. After his naval tour, he attended Texas College of Mines (UTEP) majoring in Accounting. Dad worked for B.F. Ascher, Inc. Pharmaceuticals for the next thirty years. Other affiliations were: past member of El Paso Jaycees, past president of the downtown Kiwanis Club of El Paso and was a board member, program committee chairman and guest speaker coordinator. Dad was a parishioner of St. Patrick’s Cathedral for more than seventy years. After retirement, he tutored in reading at Beall, Roosevelt, and Aoy Schools. Tennis was his passion. Dad and Carmen had a great life and enjoyed traveling all over the United States and abroad. Pallbearers will be his grandsons Brian Trobaugh, Troy Harwell, Jeffery and Travis Park, and Dustin and Dillon Ortiz. Honorary pallbearers are Dr. Joseph Torres, Pete Minas, Jose Santos, Juan Rocha and Danny Flores. Services will be under the direction of Sunset Funeral Home West, 480 N. Resler. Visitation will be held on Monday, August 10, 2015 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm with a Rosary at 7:00 pm. Funeral Mass will begin at 12:00 pm on Tuesday, August 11, 2015 at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, 1118 N. Mesa St. Following the mass, interment will be at Fort Bliss National Cemetery with honors. The family would like to thank Dr, Hernando Garcia, Dr. Daniel Polanco, Veterans Administration, and Gentiva Hospice Care and all their staff, especially Ellen and Helen for helping us through this difficult time and Chela and Bernadino for the care they also gave our dad.