Ralph P Cortez

He was born on September 9, 1944 in San Antonio, Texas where he grew up with his 7 siblings. He was a loving husband, father, brother, uncle and the best grandpapa. We will cherish our memories.

In 1962 he graduated from Edgewood High School, in San Antonio, Texas. After graduating, he traveled to California for what should have been a two-week vacation. He liked California, got a job, got married and started his family.

In 1963 he met the love of his life, Norma Sylvia Moran. They married on July 11, 1964 and were happily married for 60 years.

Ralph started his career in the stockroom at Robinson’s department store and quickly advanced, holding various positions. His journey included working for the Broadway and May Company department stores where he worked a combined total of 40yrs ending his career in 2002 as Operations Manager. Ralph also worked for the Los Angeles Times, delivering the newspaper and inserting the circulars and coupons into the Sunday paper. Stuffing the circulars became a family job on Fridays until the mid 80s. After moving to Santa Cruz, Ralph returned to work in the newspaper world when he took a job with the Santa Cruz Sentinel supervising the printing and distribution of the local paper. After all these years, he was now overseeing the machines that replaced us at inserting the circulars and coupons.

In 2002 Ralph and Norma moved to Santa Cruz, California to be close to their adult children and grandchildren. In 2008, they moved to San Antonio. where they reconnected with friends, family and became volunteers Guadalupe Cultural Center. Through their volunteer services and their love of Conjunto music they met and made many friends. In 2019 they returned to California and settled in Arvin, California. Ralph and Norma loved to travel and dance. It was not unusual for them to make road trips to Texas, Santa Cruz, Fresno, Los Angeles, Indio and San Diego to go to dances and visit friends and family.

They were actively involved in Guadalupe Cultural Center and the San Antonio Conjunto festival. While in Santa Cruz they volunteered as poll takers and put in long hours on election days, they loved it.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Guillermo Cortez and Stella P Cortez, brothers Ernest Cortez and William Cortez Jr, sister Gloria Cortez and son Ralph M. Cortez.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 60 yrs, Norma S. Cortez, daughter Alicia M. Cortez, son Rudy A. Cortez and his partner, Michael Hilva, granddaughters Erin and Chloe Moreno, sisters Dolores Contreras, Mary Stella Diaz, Norma Garza, brother George Cortez and numerous other family members and friends.

The family would like to thank the staff at Bakersfield Heart Hospital for the care and compassion they showed Ralph in his final days. A special thank you to Carol Najera, and Yvette and Richard Skillin for being there for Ralph and Norma in his final days.

Family and friends are invited to attend a Celebration of Life in Arvin, California

125 E. Bear Mountain Blvd., Arvin, California 93202

Friday, August 9th from 5-9pm.

In San Antonio, Texas

Holy Family Catholic Church, 152 Florencia Ave SA, TX 78228

Monday, September 9, from 11:30am-2:30pm.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in their honor to the charity of your choice.