Adolfo Cortez, Sr.

June 17, 1925 - May 3, 2014

Adolfo Cortez Sr, 88 of Port Arthur, Texas passed away at his home surrounded by his loving family on Saturday, May 3, 2014. Born on June 17, 1925, in Lockhart, Texas to the late Paula and Victor Cortez. Adolfo enlisted in the Navy to serve his country in a time of need during WWII for three years. He studied Mechanical Maintenance Training in Taft, Texas; then went on to work for Gulf / Chevron Refinery for 35 years before retiring. He was a lifelong parishioner of Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church and dedicated his life and time at the original location of the church and was one of the original volunteers that helped build the new Our Lady of Guadalupe and rectory. He was also active in supporting other local Catholic Churches that were in need of volunteers. Father Fernandez awarded Adolfo the Bishops Medal from the Catholic Diocese. Adolfo served as eucharistic minister for many years. He held memberships in The Holy Name Society, Santa Maria Council #1304, Fraternal Order of Eagles #228, Local Union 4-23 and was a LULAC #214 member, which helped raise college scholarship money for local Hispanics. Adolfo was a member of the National Guard in Port Arthur, Texas. His hobby was tinkering in the garage and working with his hands with projects around the house. There were no strangers in his life. His jovial spirit kept him surrounded with family and friends. He enjoyed traveling in Texas to visit his siblings and his extended family. He will be missed by many, especially his nieces and nephews in Laporte, Baytown, Pasadena, Waco, Lockhart, Brackettville, and Dallas. Christmas was his favorite time of the year, he loved to spend time with his grand children. Adolfo was preceded in death by his former wife Alice Gonzalez Cortez, mother of his children. Siblings: Patrocinia, Rosa, Mary, Victor, Leonardo, Enrique, Paul, Pedro and Juan. He is survived by his loving second wife of 42 years, Oralia Davalos Cortez; his step-son Stewart Davalos and wife Glenda, step-grandson Aaron, step-granddaughter Ashley and son Graedon and grandson Dylan. Children from his first marriage: Son, Adolfo Cortez Jr and wife Dia, granddaughters, Ali, Elizabeth and Victoria; Son, Miguel Cortez and Wayne Foco; Daughter, Gloria Adams and husband Rudy Sr., grandson, Rudy Adams Jr. and wife Roslyn, great grandchildren Halley and Cameron. Daughter, Mary Tomes, granddaughters Helen and husband Gary, Valerie and grandson Bobby; daughter, Cecilia Castaneda and husband Jaime, grandson Jaime Jr., granddaughters Alicia, Toni and Katie. Nephew Bernard Valdez. Special Thank You to: Dr. Tracie Updike and Staff, caregiver and friend, Shirley Lopez, caregiver and friends Debra and David Doiron, Nurse Karrie with Home Innovations and Staff, Mid Jefferson Wound Care - All Drs. and Staff, River City Hospice -- Drs., Nurses and Staff, Culver Therapist Roy Sr., Mark and J.R., Eucharistic Ministers from Our Lady of Guadalupe, to all friends and family that came to visit during his lengthy illness. Thank you to cousin Shelia and husband Felix Robles for their care after Hurricane Ike. Neighbors; Ruby and JamesYoung, Tammy and Larry St. Andrew, Hazel Walker Wilson and Mr. Thomas who have looked out for us all these years. A visitation for family and friends will be from 5:00pm to 8:00pm on Thursday, May 8, 2014 Rosary starting at 6:30pm at Clayton Thompson Funeral Home, 5200 39th Street Groves, Texas 77619. A Mass of Christine Burial will be celebrated at 1 pm on Friday, May 9, 2014 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church with Rev. T. R. Blanco, serving as celebrant. Burial will follow at Greenlawn Memorial Park with Full Military Honors. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church Scholarships Fund.