Santiago V. Ortiz

Santiago V. Ortiz, age 100, passed away on June 30, 2022 in San Benito, Texas with his family at his bedside.  Santiago is one of four children born to Isabel Ortiz and Guadalupe Villa Ortiz on December 30, 1921 in Bishop, Texas. His siblings are Levoria, Victoria and Elvira Ortiz. When Santiago met his wife Luisa it was love at first sight, Santiago noticed Luisa as she prepared to throw the softball from the pitcher’s mound.  He knew instantly that she was the love of his life.  Santiago courted Luisa for two years and they then married on January 26, 1942 at St. James Catholic Church in Bishop, Texas.  Santiago and Luisa began their life together and had nine children. They moved to San Benito, Texas in 1960, where they resided for the rest of their lives.

Santiago worked with the Naval Base1952-1960 in Beeville, Texas where he worked in the Fuel Department receiving fuel for jets.  In Harlingen, he worked for the US Department of Agriculture for 28 years until he retired in 1990.

In 2007, Santiago and Luisa Ortiz were recognized as they celebrated 65 years of marriage. A grand event was held in Brownsville, Texas called Matrimonio Magnífico. As a member of the honorary couple that had been married the longest, Luisa spoke to a ballroom full of couples as she talked about their marriage and gave personal advice to the other 99 couples in attendance.

Santiago was an active member of the St. Theresa Catholic Church where he volunteered and participated at church festivals. Santiago loved listening to mariachi music, Ana Gabriel & variety of other music.  He enjoyed playing his harmonica, shopping for classy shirts and hats, watching the animal planet channel, western movies, drinking a cold Dos Equis XX and his never-ending love of fried shrimp. Of course, a day did not go by that he did not enjoy eating pan dulce with cafecito with the love of his life Luisa.

On January 26, 2021, Santiago and Luisa celebrated 79 years of marriage. Luisa went to live with her heavenly father on May 26, 2021 and Santiago was heart-broken and missed her ever since. Now, they are reunited in love.

He is survived by his children, Amelia Ortiz, Arturo (Janie) Ortiz, Daniel (Rosa †) Ortiz, Alfredo (Maggie) Ortiz, Abel (Irma †) Ortiz, Mario (Rita) Ortiz, Jimmy Ortiz, and Diana (Jaime) Villarreal, 22 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren and 6 great-great grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his wife Luisa P. Ortiz, son Arnulfo Ortiz; parents, Isabel and Guadalupe Villa Ortiz; and daughter-in-laws, Irma C. Ortiz, and Rosa Ortiz.

The family wishes to thank Amedisys Hospice staff members, Senior Hospice Liaison Bill Brisky, Daniel Montemayor, R.N., Erika Lucio, R.N., and Home Health Aide Laura Estrada for their compassionate care. Thanks also to the staff of Sunglo Home Health Service for their wonderful care.

The Ortiz family will receive relatives and friends on Wednesday, July 6, 2022 from 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Buck Ashcraft San Benito Funeral Home.  A recitation of the Holy Rosary will begin at 6:30 P.M. that evening. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, July 7, 2022 at 1 p.m. at St. Theresa Catholic Church in San Benito, Texas.  Following the Mass, Santiago will be laid to rest at Mont Meta Memorial Park in San Benito, Texas.

Honored to serve as pallbearers are Alfredo Ortiz, Jimmy Ortiz, Jaime Villarreal, and Michael Zavala.