Eduardo "Lalo" C. Ortiz, Sr.

Corpus Christi – Eduardo “Lalo” C. Ortiz, Sr., age 87 went to his eternal home onThursday, December 7, 2023, at Preferred Senior Living group home. He was born on April 4, 1936, in Laredo, Texas, the son of Antonio Tijerina Ortiz and Natividad Medrano – Ortiz. Lalo grew up in Laredo where he attended Martin High School. Later, he joined the Army on November 6, 1958 and received his GED while in the Army. He proudly served his country for 8 years and was also a Vietnam Veteran. Lalo met the love of his life, Maria Gracia “Graciela” Paredes in 1960. They were married on December 24, 1961, for 43 years. Lalo and Graciela were stationed at various Army bases before moving to Corpus Christi in 1968. He was employed as a mechanic for Johnson Automatic Transmission and attended Del Mar College before being employed as an aircraft mechanic for the Corpus Christi Army Depot for 18 years. His hobbies were fishing, hunting, gardening, camping on the beach, and taking family “cruises” to various parts of Texas. He is preceded in death by his loving wife, Maria Gracia, his parents, Antonio T., and Natividad M., four brothers, Oscar Ortiz, Antonio R. Ortiz (Socorro), Baldomero Ortiz (Beatriz), and Gilberto Ortiz. He is survived by his children Sr. Rosa Maria Ortiz, OVISS, Thelma Teresa Ortiz-Vasquez (Robert), Eduardo C. Ortiz, Jr., Jorge Luis Ortiz (Rebecca), six grandchildren, seven great grandchildren, his sister Arabela Ortiz-Melve ( Calixto), and his sister-in-law Maria Luisa Ortiz, and many nieces and nephews.

A Memorial Rosary will be recited on Saturday December 30, 2023, at 9:30 a.m. at St. John of the Cross Catholic Church followed by a Funeral Mass at 10:00 a.m. Burial to follow at St. John of the Cross Catholic Cemetery with a military service conducted by the United Veteran’s Burial Association of Alice.
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Mauro P. Garcia Funeral Home entrusted with arrangements.