Bernardo Cortez, Jr.

Bernardo S.-"Bernie" Cortez, Jr., entered into rest on Thursday, May 23, 2013. Bernie was a beloved Husband, Father, and Grandfather. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

Bernie was a retired US Navy Master Chief. He traveled the world and served in many ships including the USS De Moines.-He spent most of his Navy career as a Recruiter in Laredo.-He received several awards and acquired noteworthy recognition for his efforts during his recruiting years.-He was always so proud to see his recruits everywhere he went and was always met with utmost gratitude for everything he had done for them.

In his later years Bernie became a realtor and he, along with his wife opened their company named, Martha & Bernie Cortez Real Estate Services.-A company, to this day, his wife will continue to serve the community Bernie loved so much with. Bernie was very loved and respected by his friends and colleagues in the real estate community.

He was preceded in death by his father, Bernardo Cortez, Sr.; brother, Javier Cortez; his first wife, Maria Josefina Cortez; daughter, Leticia Maribel Cortez; and his mother-in-law, Margarita Wolter.

He is survived by his loving wife, Martha L. Cortez; his mother, Josefina S. Cortez; children, Bernardo Cortez III, Carlos H. Cortez (Laura), Patricia Cortez (Loretta), Mary Jo Cortez and Ricardo R. Cortez; step-children, Dr. Antonio E. (Susie) Mancera, Gabbriella J. Mancera and Lui Mancera; brothers and sisters, Rosa C. (Jose) Leal, Alma C. (Jose) Gonzalez, Sylvia C. (Jesus) Pacheco, Ricardo (Sandra) Cortez, Josefina Cortez, Alfredo (Esther) Cortez, Bertha C. (Ernesto) Leal, Christina C. (Jesus) Molina, Ramon Cortez, Esther C. Olivares, Elizabeth C. (Jose Luis) Lira, Mario Alfonso (Martha) Cortez, Diana C. (Johnny) Luera and Martha C. (Manuel) Garza; brothers & sisters-in-law, Ana (Tulio) Cruz, Tere (Jose Luis) Resendez, Carmen (Alfredo) Garza and Vicente (Pat) Leija; grandchildren, 1st Lt. Carlos H. (Liza) Cortez, Jr., Ricardo Castillo, Edward L. Devally, Jr., Kristen C. Devally, Josie M. Cortez, Joseph D. Leal, Michelle D. Devally, Alexandra Leal, Chloe H. Cortez, Elizabeth Leal and Camila H. Cortez; and step-grandchildren, Antonio Emanuel Mancera, Jr., and Andrea Christina Mancera.-He also survived by numerous nephews, nieces, other loved relatives and friends, and his beloved companions, Sparky and Wookie.

A special thanks to: Dr. Antonio Mancera, Dr. Ricardo Cigarroa, Dr. Arthur Santos, Dr. Rafael Deliz, Dr. Fernando Sanchez, Dr. Eduardo Miranda, Dr. John Knecht, Dr. Pedro Diaz, Dr. Norbert Alvarez, Dr. Chalid, and the dedicated nurses and staff at Laredo Medical Center Intensive Care Unit.

Pallbearers will be: Dr.Antonio Mancera, Lui Mancera, Vicente Leija, Jose Luis Resendez, Jr.,Carlos H. Cortez, Ricardo Castillo, Joseph D. Leal, and Gabriel Olivares.

Honorary Pallbearers will be: Marco Tulio Cruz, Jose Luis Resendez, Alfredo Garza, Ricardo Cortez, Alfredo Cortez, Ramon Cortez, Mario Cortez, Ruben Haynes (US Navy Retired), and all his shipmates.