Ricardo Texas Sr.

On December 21, 2016, Our Lord Jesus Christ welcomed Ricardo Armando Ortiz, Sr. into his home. “Riche”, “Grandpa”, or Uncle Richard as most beloved called him, was born on March 13, 1927, and was a lifelong resident of Laredo, Texas. He was 90 years old.

He is preceded in death by his father, Carlos Ortiz, mother, Trinidad Almaraz Ortiz and several brothers and sisters.

He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Cleatis Prescott Ortiz and his children, Ricardo (Claudia), Sarah Bergoon, Maria Talamas (John), Cleatis Garcia, Rolando (Diana), 18 grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren, his brother, Meme Ortiz (Joyce+) and many loving nieces and nephews.

Ricardo attended Martin High School and was a decorated athlete who lettered in Track, Basketball, Football and Baseball. He left Martin High School at 17 years of age after volunteering in the Navy to serve his country. He was a proud WWII Veteran. Upon his return to Laredo, he graduated from Martin High School in 1947. He played for the Mexican Baseball League and was later drafted by the New York Giants as a pitcher; an injury would bring him home. He worked at ATT (formerly Southwestern Bell) as a telephone lineman where he met his wife, Cleatis and worked there until his retirement at 55 years of age. He was passionate about family and loved having cookouts. In fact, many weekends were spent having family cookouts. He was a gifted storyteller and loved telling jokes to anyone willing to sit by his side ready for his quick wit. In addition to his family past-time, he remained active playing golf daily at the Casa Blanca Golf Course where he spent many hours with numerous friends. Over the years, many of his grandchildren shared with him his same love of golf playing a couple of rounds from time-to-time.

Some of his proudest moments in his life were having 21 strikeouts game, being able to throw practice balls while with The NY Giants, with I Love Lucy’s, Fred Mertz, and most recently being inducted as a Tiger Legend for his contribution to Tiger Sports. Of course, he was most proud and reminded us all often, of his love for his wife and family. A testament to such love was how his two daughters, Sarah Bergoon and Cleatis Garcia lived and cared for him until his last days on earth and continue to fulfill the promise of taking care of the love of his life and their mother, Cleatis.

“Why Not” were words he often spoke as he was always ready to do just about anything. Grandpa will be missed but we will celebrate his life with the abundance of memories he shared with so many of us to cherish forever. His strength, love and memories will live in our hearts forever.

From the bottom of our hearts, we are thankful for those whom God entrusted into his care: Dr. Oscar Gutierrez, the health care staff on the 2nd and 3rd Floor at LMC, Altus Hospice Care, his recent caretakers, Juany’s and Sylvia and of course his granddaughter-in-law, Mrs. Elva Canales Garcia.

The family will gather at Joe Jackson Heights Funeral Chapels, 719 Loring at Cortez on Friday, December 23, 2016, from 5 to 9 in the evening with a Rosary to be recited at 7p.m.

A Chapel service will be held Saturday, December 24, 2016 at Joe Jackson Heights at 9:00 a.m. Funeral procession will depart at 9:40 a.m.

Rite of Committal and Interment will follow at the family plot in the Calvary Catholic Cemetery.

For more information, please visit our website at www.joejacksonfuneralchapels.com

Arrangements are under the care and direction of the funeral service professionals at Joe Jackson Heights Funeral and Cremation Services, 719 Loring at Cortez, Laredo, TX 78040, 956.722.0001