Manuel Antonio Ortiz

as written by Manuel A. Ortiz, himself

April 19, 1937 - March 29, 2020

Manuel Antonio Ortiz was born in San Ignacio, New Mexico on April 19, 1937 to parents Antonio (Tony) and Lugardita (Luga) Madrid Ortiz. His paternal grandparents were Venceslado Ortiz and Rita Ortiz de Ortiz, and maternal grandparents were Teodoro Madrid and Emilia Sena. Manuel has two brothers Edward (Eddie) Ortiz and Trinidad (Trinnie) Ortiz (deceased).

As a young man Manuel Ortiz was a jack of all trades, master of none. He was a sheep herder, worked with cattle, worked on the Santa Fe Railroad raising steel gangs, worked in cotton, broom, and peanut fields, chopped cotton and wood, worked as a plumber and mechanic. He also picked apples, plumbs, cherries, and cotton with his dad, and worked other side jobs as a young man.

Lugardita (Luga) Madrid Ortiz, Manuel's mother, besides being a housewife bringing up three boys, was a good mother, and put her children through Catholic school by working at the Clovis Hotel as an ironing and cleaning lady. The first time she met Beckie they hit if off right away with not only her, but her parents as well. She loved Beckie like the daughter she never had.

As a young boy Manuel served as an altar boy (with Latin responses) in Dilia and Clovis, New Mexico Catholic Church. He helped his parents doing various jobs like working at Busy Boy Restaurant washing dishes. One summer at the age of seven he went to Fort Collins, Colorado with his Godfather (nino) to work in the beet fields. In Idaho, he helped his dad pick cherries and plumbs while working in the fields, and once fell off of an 18 foot ladder picking plumbs. When not working on the above he would help his dad repairing automobile motors and performing various plumbing tasks.

At an early age, Manuel showed an interest in music. After learning to play several instruments, he decided to stick to playing the guitar. He played with the Gonzales band in Clovis, New Mexico throughout his high school years, and when he came to Barstow, he played with and recorded an LP album with Los Lobos De Barstow.

Through high school, he took extra courses which helped him graduate earlier than any of his school mates. He said to the principal, "If you don't mind since I'm now coasting, I would like to go to telegraph school in Pueblo, Colorado." She said, "That is an awesome idea!". So off he went to Pueblo. By January, he graudated from telegraph school and was quickly sent to San Bernardino, California with four other boys. By February, he had a permanent position with the Santa Fe Railroad, as Apprentice Telegrapher in Glendora, California. While the rest of his class would not graduate until May or June he was already working for Santa Fe Railroad.

Manuel started his seniority by working second shift in Oro Grande, California on January 25, 1957. Throughout his railroad career he went on to become a telegrapher towerman operator, relief station agent, train order operator, sold passenger tickets in Del Mar, California and ran a telephone switch board in San Diego. He later worked as interpreter for Hanna Corp, for the County of San Diego, and for Santa Fe special officers at the terminal building in Barstow, California.

Prior to his retirement the Santa Fe Railroad needed him in Topeka, Kansas where he was put to work on handling customer service for the entire state of Oklahoma, and the Kansas City, Kansas and Lincoln, Nebraska areas. After five years in Topeka he retired in 1999; two months short of 44 years of railroad service. When the boss (Beckie)speaks you had better listen! She said, "You have worked long enough and it is time to retire. Lets go home."

While in Topeka, Beckie and Manuel joined a mariachi choir and eventually became Choir Directors at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church. After four and half years, they finally left for home; Barstow, California. Manuel and Beckie played and sang for the Catholic Church for over forty years and always claimed that those were the best and most awesome years playing for Our Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and the Catholic community.

Manuel Antonio Ortiz leaves behind his wife of 53 years Rebecca (Beckie), children Elisa Ortiz Bell (deceased) and her husband Thomas Bell, Lydia Ortiz Manzanares and her husband Mark Manzanares, and Manuel Antonio Ortiz II and his wife Jordana Gallacher Ortiz, brothers Eduardo (Eddie) Conrado and Helen Anaya Ortiz (deceased), brother Trinidad (Trinnie) Gilberto and Margie Velasquez Ortiz (both deceased), grandchildren Gabriel Justin, Jacob Alan, Alexa Christen, and Jose Maria Bell (deceased) , Sophia Lauren Manzanares and Juliet Elaine (Manzanares) Barela, Dane Alexander, Austin Michael, Michael Antonio, and Otilia Marie Ortiz, great-grandchildren John Beckam and Bodhi Thomas Bell, Donavan Cory, John-Paul Luke, and Dean Michael Barela, and Audrey Elisa Bell.

Manuel lived to witness the following Popes: Pope Pius XI 1922 - 1939, Pope Pius XII 1939 - 1958, Pope St. John XXIII 1958 - 1963. Pope Paul VI 1963 - 1978. Pope John Paul I 1978, Pope St. John Paul II 1978 - 2005, Pope Benedict XVI 2005 - 2013, Pope Francis 2013 - present day 2020.

All in all he wanted to let all know that he loved his wife Beckie, his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. His prayers always included asking God to make them all Spirit-filled and to bring Him many souls.

In addition, his family would like you to know Manuel was an avid collector of railroad calendars, railroad date nails, railroad insulators, pencils, marbles, coins, and thimbles.

Over his nearly 50 years as a member of Saint Joseph Parish in Barstow, California he and Beckie were active in the following ministries; Spanish Choir, Liturgy of the Word services in Baker, California, Baptism Ministry, Marriage Encounter, Eucharistict Minister, Lector, RCIA, Bible Study, Cursillo, and he was a Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus.

All his life Manuel never met a stranger. He had a most generous heart and was the type of friend who would often visit you in your dying days. He will be greatly missed by his family, extended family, parish family, and friends alike.

Due to the recent COVID-19 pandemic, a funeral mass and rosary will be celebrated after all social and travel restrictions are lifted to enable all those who loved Manuel celebrate his incredible life all together at Saint Joseph Catholic Church in Barstow, California. Internment will follow services at Mountain View Memorial Park in Barstow, California.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.meadcares.com for the Ortiz family.