Obituary of Daniel Ortiz Jr.

Daniel Ortiz Jr., age 80 of San Jon, New Mexico passed away Monday September 11, 2023.

He was born in Watts, California and raised in Caruthers, California. Years later he found a beautiful country home in San Jon, New Mexico.

 

Daniel was a caring and special person with a big heart. He grew up on a farm and was a farm worker during his childhood. In his twenties he worked as an Orderly at Valley Medical Center in Fresno. in 1964. 

 

He enlisted in United States Army as a Reservist. He was a cook and fed a platoon all by himself when they came back late from a pretend combat fight. In June 1970, he received an Honorable Discharge. 

 

He was a Radiotelephone Operator in 1968 and an Airplane Pilot in 1969. He worked for the Highway of Transportation as an Equipment Operator in Fresno California and New Mexico until he retired.

 

He was an active member in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints of Tucumcari,  New Mexico. 

 

Daniel’s talents were many, he was a beloved husband, brother, uncle, friend, and community volunteer who donated regularly to the Food Banks, Disabled Veterans, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Arbor Day Foundation, and many other worldly causes. 

 

He loved classic airplanes, classic cars, rock n roll and country music, fishing, and renovating his home. Most of all, Daniel had a great love for animals and took great care of any stray cats that came around and became his own. 

 

Superseded in death by his parents Daniel Ortiz and Josephine Ortiz, his two brothers Alex Bettencourt and Phillip Bettencourt, and two sisters Linda Bettencourt and Virginia Bettencourt. He is survived by his brother Joe Ortiz, Carmen Ortiz Sturgeon, Rachel Ortiz Johnston, Marylou Ortiz Tierce, and numerous nieces and nephews.

 

Daniel was an amazing man. He was a role model, a mentor, a friend, and a father figure to many. We will forever remember Daniel as one of the most positive and supportive influences in our lives. Daniel may have left us physically, but we will never be without him because Daniel has left his imprint on everyone's heart who knew him.

 

To honor Daniel, the family is asking you to order memorial trees in memory of Daniel Ortiz Jr. please visit https://shop.arborday.org/commemorative

 

To read his online obituary and view more photos, please visit https://www.forevermissed.com/daniel-ortizjr/stories

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