SAM J. ORTIZ SR., 71, long-time resident of Rockwall,
TX, passed away Oct. 25, 2020, with burial there in
Rest Haven Memorial Park.
He was born Sept. 13, 1949, in Abilene, TX, to Louis
P. Ortiz & Jennie (Jojola) Ortiz. He attended Abilene
High School and graduated class of 1969. He worked at
L3Harris as a Sr. Procurement Associate and loved all
his coworkers. Sammy was a proud American and served
his country in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War.
He was a loving husband, dad, and grandfather. Sammy
loved the Lord and he attended Lake Pointe Church in
Rockwall. He was passionate about playing the trumpet
and played for many years at New Life Baptist Church
in Garland, TX. He was a positive, generous person,
who loved to entertain people. His granddaughter
Christine called him “Papa” and he would make the best
lemon meringue pies for her. Sammy was an extremely
organized man. He loved being outdoors, enjoyed fishing,
and was an avid Dallas Cowboys fan. He will be deeply
missed by everyone who loved him dearly.
Sammy is survived by his loving wife of 51 years:
Adella Ortiz; daughter: Elizabeth Ortiz Butts and
husband Jordan; son: Sammy J. Ortiz, Jr.; grand-
daughter: Christine Elise Butts; sister: Susan
Carrasco and husband Ricky; brother: Ruben Ortiz;
sister: Jennie Louise; and a host of nieces and
nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents;
beloved daughter: Ruth Marie; and his brother:
Ronnie Ortiz.