CORTEZ, Ruben

Daily Courier, Prescott, Arizona Wednesday, October 5, 2005 Ruben Cortez Jr., age 66, died on Oct. 2, 2005, in Prescott. Ruben was born in Phoenix on June 1, 1939, to Ruben Cortez Sr. and Cruz Ochoa. Ruben spent most of his life in Prescott and graduated from Prescott High School in 1956. Upon graduating, he joined the Marine Corps and served with distinction in the Korean War. Ruben returned to Prescott and started his career with the City of Prescott. He was actively involved in the community working with organizations, such as the Special Olympics and Jaycees. In addition, he officiated at softball and volleyball games, as well as coached many winning sports teams. Other interests included traveling, playing practical jokes, and being an avid fan of the ASU football team. In January 2005, after completing 43 years of service with the City of Prescott, Ruben retired. Ruben was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend. He was preceded in death by his wife, Rosemary Cortez and son, Danny Cortez. Ruben is survived by his wife, Kathleen Russell of Prescott; children, Reggie Cortez of Phoenix, Veronica Cortez and Winford Frady, Jr. of Castro Valley, Calif. and Connie (Cortez) Weiss and James Weiss of Phoenix, William and Susan Russell of Charlottesville, Va., and Lesley (Russell) Simone and James Simone of Poulsbo, Wash.; grandchildren, Nathan Cortez, Marcus Cortez and Bobbi Cortez, all of Checotah, Okla., Whitney Welch, Martin Apolinar, Armando Apolinar, and Alisha Apolinar, all of Prescott, and Alexia Simone and Brandy Simone, both of Poulsbo, Wash.; also great grand-dude, Tallen Simpson of Prescott; his faithful canine companion, Lady; and brothers and sisters, Lupe Olea of Pittsburg, Calif., Belia Drane, Annie Lopez, Joe Cortez, David King and Becky Driskell all of Phoenix. Visitation will be on Thursday, Oct. 6 from 5 to 7 p.m., at the Hampton Funeral Home at 240 S. Cortez St., in Prescott. Friends and family are invited to a celebration of life service on Friday, Oct. 7 at 3 p.m., at American Lutheran Church, 1085 Scott Dr., in Prescott. In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be made to Yavapai Exceptional Industries, 436 N. Washington, Ave., Prescott, AZ 86301. The Hampton Funeral Home assisted the family with the arrangements. Information provided by survivors.
Posted by Judy Wight Branson on June 18, 2008

Note: These obituaries are transcribed as published and are submitted by volunteers who have no connection to the families. They do not write the obituaries and have no further information other than what is posted within the obituaries. We do not do personal research. For this you would have to find a volunteer who does this or hire a professional researcher.