Juan Ortiz

Juan Ortiz was a natural leader whose winning presence allowed him to take control of various situations with ease. Equipped with a clear and calculating focus, he possessed a tough-minded, “take charge” attitude. He had the ability to make even routine situations seem exciting, and he was at ease with the role of playing problem solver. Juan always sought out the scene of where the action was. Analytical and pleasant, Juan was an individual who enjoyed life’s challenges.       His parents were Maria and Juan Ortiz. Juan was raised in Mexico and as a teenager in San Diego, CA. Always able to express himself well, Juan possessed strong interpersonal skills. He was optimistic in his outlook on life and was able at all times to be open and direct in his communication. Armed with a great wit, Juan was raised to be accepting of others and to implement a strong personal work ethic.      Blessed with a balanced attitude, Juan was able to relate well with others. His occasional role as family mediator gave him the opportunity to ease tense situations when they occurred. Juan was raised with seven siblings. He had three older brothers, Ignacio, Ismael, Adrian, two older sisters, Lupe and Martha, and one younger sister Angie and a younger brother, Arturo. Juan had a strong desire to be treated fairly and would readily offer others the same fairness in return.      As a young child, Juan showed his creative ability in many ways. He was outgoing and animated. Juan enjoyed new activities and pursued a variety of interests. He took part in basketball. In his spare time he liked comic books. Juan's memorable achievements included academic excellence, attending a catholic elementary school and was an oustanding basketball player.      Known to others as a focused, logical, open-minded and somewhat driven individual, Juan was able to utilize these qualities to succeed in high school. His curious nature was spurred by his ability to maximize his personal learning style through employing a hands-on approach. He was good with facts and had an excellent memory. He graduated from Hoover High School in 1976. He enjoyed some courses more than others, having favorite classes and teachers. His favorite class in high school was history.      When the goal of college was in sight, it became important to Juan. Again, his direct, “down to earth” approach served him well. He was able to absorb complex concepts and had an acute sense of how things worked. He attended Mesa College. His favorite courses were Aviation, History and Trigonometry. His favorite professor was Dr. Jones. Fascinated by anything related to aviation and was an outstanding athlete.      Friends and acquaintances found Juan an easy man to get to know, and those close to him would often praise his open, practical style of communication and relaxed approach to life in general. Juan was uncomplicated and straightforward in his relationships, which allowed him to accept people for what they were. While growing up, his best friends were Braulio and Manuel. Later in life, he became friends with Julio Ortiz.      On July 11, 1981 Juan exchanged wedding vows with Rosa Maria Quezada at the Our Lady of Angels of San Diego, California. Juan was attentive to Rosa Maria's feelings, and he charmed Rosa Maria and others with his gift for being able to give freely and generously. A good listener with an engaging personality, Juan was able to bring pleasure and unexpected humor to the relationship.      Very much like a kid himself, Juan identified with the inquisitive and creative side of his childrens’ personalities. He was able to direct his energy and spontaneity towards helping his children acquire added common sense skills. Juan was blessed with three children, three sons, Juan Carlos, Christopher and Joshua.      Juan was a flexible worker who was able to draw the best from others around him. A persuasive individual who was quick to make necessary decisions, Juan’s strengths included being able to think on his feet. He could be a leader who sought impact for his decisions. Gifted with an incredible ability to read body language, Juan was able to positively manipulate situations and motivate others in order to get a task completed. He was a good negotiator who enjoyed new challenges. Juan was endowed with entrepreneurial spirit, allowing him to think beyond standard norms when it came to resolving issues in his work environment. His occupation was a shop foreman. He was employed for 25 years by The Metropolitan Transit System.      Juan enjoyed his leisure time by taking part in various hobbies. He had something of an artistic flair in many of the things that he did. He put this creativity toward all of his pastimes. His favorite pursuits were reading, basketball and racquetball. He was content to enjoy his hobbies alone but was also willing to share his interests with others.      Because he liked to take risks, Juan was a perfect match for athletics and exercise. He was enthusiastic and confident about these activities. In high school, Juan played basketball. In his college years, Juan continued to stay active by racquetball and basketball. Recreational sports included jogging. Juan was also something of a sports fan and enjoyed watching his favorite events whenever he got the opportunity. Tops on his list were soccer, basketball, football and baseball.       Juan’s natural leadership qualities placed him in consideration for public recognition, earning him accolades for his many and varied efforts throughout his life. Some of his most prestigious awards included a recognition of twenty five years of service for the Metropolitan Transit System.      Travel and vacations were experiences that Juan truly enjoyed. He preferred to seek out excitement wherever he went and he was partial to vacations that were casual and laid back with an atmosphere of “live and let live.” He was willing to leave his plans open and flexible, just in case something more interesting came along. Favorite vacations included San Francisco, Northern California and Las Vegas.      Juan passed away on December 3, 2009 at Sharp Hospice in La Mesa, California. Juan fought a brave battle against cancer. He is survived by his wife, Rosa Maria, his children, Juan Carlos, Christopher and Joshua, his brothers and sisters, Ignacio, Ismael, Adrian, Lupe, Martha, Angie and Arturo, his best friend, Julio Ortiz. Services were held at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church. Juan was laid to rest in Greenwood Memorial Park San Diego, California.      Juan was the kind of person who could win others over easily. A concrete communicator, he relied on his senses to increase his involvement and awareness of others. He was always able to provide amusing repartee to his friends and acquaintances, offering a seemingly endless supply of quips, anecdotes, jokes and stories. He enjoyed his life and the experience of living it. This is how everyone will remember Juan Ortiz.