ORTIZ, Modesto Rubio

Copper Basin News, Hayden, Az. 12 Oct. 2011 Modesto Rubio Ortiz, 81, of Kearny, AZ passed away on Oct. 6, 2011 at Banner Baywood Medical Center in Mesa. Modesto was born on Feb. 24, 1930 in Los Angeles, California and was raised near Inde, Durango, Mexico along with his six brothers and four sisters. He returned to the United States at the age of 21 where he began working for Kennecott Copper Corporation (KCC) in Ray, Arizona. He worked at KCC for 31 years. During this time, he met and married his wife, Nellie. Together, they have five children: Eliza Brunner, Carmen Everett, Patricia Smith (deceased), Victor Ortiz and Belinda Ortiz-Rodriguez. They have 14 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren. Modesto enjoyed sharing stories and facts about geography and history, hunting, gardening, playing music, dancing and spending time with his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. As a matter of fact, we’re sure that he is teaching everyone in Heaven his “famous dance steps.” Services will be held on Saturday, Oct. 15, at Copper Valley Christian Center, 305 West Croydon Road, Kearny. Viewing is at 10 a.m. with funeral services at 11 a.m. Interment will be at Kearny Cemetery. Luncheon immediately following the burial at Leo Terrill Hall, Kearny. Arrangements were entrusted to Griffith Mortuary.